Tale of Ekati looks to rumble in Richter Scale

Tale of Ekati is four for five in one-turn races (Debra Kral/Horsephotos.com)

Multiple Grade 1 winner TALE OF EKATI (Tale of the Cat) will open his

four-year-old campaign against five rivals in Saturday's $150,000

Richter Scale Sprint S. (G2), one of two stakes races on Saturday's program

at Gulfstream Park. The $100,000

Hallandale Beach S., a 1 1/16-mile turf test for three-year-olds, will also

be offered.

Winner of the Wood Memorial (G1) and fourth in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Tale

of Ekati cut back in distance later in the year and will bring a two-race win

skein into the seven-furlong Richter Scale, garnering both the Cigar Mile H.

(G1) and Jerome H. (G2) at a mile. The former came via disqualification. Trained

by Barclay Tagg, the Charles E. Fipke colorbearer is one for one at seven

furlongs, winning the 2007 Futurity S. (G2). Tale of Ekati will keep Edgar Prado

in the saddle.

IKIGAI (Whywhywhy), who recorded a minor upset in the Mr. Prospector S. (G3)

on January 17, is the top threat. Trained by local stalwart Marty Wolfson, the

four-year-old colt has captured five of his last six starts and smartly drew

clear to a 2 1/4-length decision last time. Jermaine Bridgmohan will retain the

mount. Grade 3 victor NOW A VICTOR (Yankee Victor) is also in the line-up.