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Quality Road seeks to recapture glory in Hal's Hope
Quality Road hoped to avenge those defeats in the November 7 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita, only to lose his composure behind the starting gate. After lashing out, kicking, refusing to load, and breaking through the gate once finally pushed in, he sustained lacerations to his legs and had to be scratched. In the aftermath of his Breeders' Cup debacle, Quality Road has professionally handled schooling at the gate. If that gives any indication, the four-year-old promises to be on his best behavior as he goes into post 2 with regular rider John Velazquez. Pletcher will also saddle HARLEM ROCKER (Macho Uno), who will be returning to Gulfstream for the first time since capturing his first two career starts here in 2008. The Stronach Stables homebred went on to land that year's Withers S. (G3) and Prince of Wales S., and crossed the wire first in the Cigar Mile H. (G1) but was demoted to second. Sidelined for nearly one year, Harlem Rocker reappeared in a November 14 allowance/optional claimer at Churchill Downs, and after a strong stretch drive, just came up a head short. Eibar Coa, who guided him throughout his 2008 campaign, will reunite with the late-running gray Sunday. The ever-dangerous Allen Jerkens could play the role of "giant killer" once again, courtesy of LE GRAND CRU (Dynaformer). The improving five-year-old comes off scores in the Bold Ruler H. (G3) and off-the-turf Kelso H. (G3), and figures to mix it up with Quality Road early. YOU AND I FOREVER (A.P. Indy) was most recently a poor 11th in the Clark H. (G2) at Churchill Downs, but the Marty Wolfson charge is eligible to improve when cutting back to a flat mile. The last time the well-bred bay raced at this distance, he was runner-up in the 2008 Jerome H. (G2), beating third-place finisher Harlem Rocker. Other contenders in the nine-horse field include Grade 1-placed HELSINKI (Distorted Humor), a half-brother to Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) hero Well Armed (Tiznow) who exits a smart allowance/optional claiming score in his debut for the Rick Dutrow barn; SPIN MASTER (Distorted Humor), who has been training sharply since his Philadelphia Park allowance tally; and Michael G. Schaefer Mile S. victor CONGRESSIONAL PAGE (Orientate). The Hal's Hope kicks off the Gulfstream stakes schedule that, as always, is anchored by the $750,000 Florida Derby on March 20. Originally slated for March 27, the Florida Derby was moved one week earlier after Fair Grounds scheduled its $750,000 Louisiana Derby (G2) for March 27. Gulfstream has also tweaked the three-year-old stakes leading up to the Florida Derby. The $150,000 Holy Bull S. (G3) will return to a mile, and will take place on January 23. The $250,000 Fountain of Youth on February 20 will return to 1 1/8 miles, the same distance as the Florida Derby. Another major move in the realignment was turning the first Saturday of the meet, January 9, into the inaugural Gulfstream Sprint Showcase. The blockbuster day for sprinters comprises the Spectacular Bid S. for three-year-olds, the Mr. Prospector (G3) for older horses, the Old Hat (G3) for three-year-old fillies, the Sugar Swirl (formerly the First Lady) (G3) for older fillies and mares, and a new stakes named the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint. The first four carry a $100,000 purse and will be run at six furlongs; the Turf Sprint will be valued at $75,000 and will be run at five furlongs. Other highlights of the meeting are the January 30 Sunshine Millions, the $500,000 Donn H. (G1) on February 6 and the $250,000 Gulfstream Park Turf H. (G1) on Super Bowl Sunday, February 7. The big game will be played in nearby Miami Gardens.
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