Hades Eyes Gulfstream Redemption in Tackleberry Handicap
D J Stable LLC and Robert Cotran’s Hades is set to return to familiar territory this Friday as he lines up for the $70,000 Tackleberry Handicap at Gulfstream Park. The once-unbeaten gelding will be making his first local start since a tough trip in the 2024 Curlin Florida Derby (G1), where his road to the Kentucky Derby took an unfortunate turn.
Hades Returns to His Winning Ground at Gulfstream
Trained by Joe Orseno, Hades was one of the most exciting prospects in early 2024, winning his first three career starts at Gulfstream Park, including an impressive front-running victory in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3). His early success fueled serious Kentucky Derby ambitions.
In his Holy Bull win, Hades faced constant pressure throughout the race. Despite this, he maintained the lead and drew away from rivals in the final stages. Orseno later commented that the gelding got a very good trip that day, thanks in part to soft early fractions that allowed him to conserve energy for the finish.
However, the momentum stalled in the Curlin Florida Derby. After being bumped at the start and forced to race wide throughout, Hades faded behind Fierceness, who had earlier finished third in the Holy Bull. Seeking vital Derby qualification points, the connections made a bold decision to run him again just two weeks later in the Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland—an effort that saw him finish out of the money.
Reflecting on that stretch, Orseno admitted he regretted skipping the Fountain of Youth Stakes, as Hades was training well at the time. He believes the two-month gap between the Holy Bull and Florida Derby may not have been ideal. He also acknowledged that the quick turnaround into the Lexington was a mistake made in pursuit of Derby points.
Rebuilding After Derby Disappointment
Despite the setbacks, Hades showed resilience in the months that followed. He delivered four consecutive in-the-money efforts in stakes races, including a runner-up finish behind Domestic Product in the Dwyer Stakes (G3)—a horse he had previously defeated in the Holy Bull.
A turf experiment in the River City (G3) at Churchill Downs in November did not go as planned, prompting connections to give the gelding an extended break. Orseno later described the turf try as a failed experiment.
Hades returned to action on June 7, 2025, at Saratoga in a seven-furlong allowance, but the race was contested over a sloppy track—his first experience in such conditions. Orseno noted that the horse struggled with footing and was unable to perform, as he appeared to be spinning his wheels throughout the run.
The team had difficulty finding suitable races in the months prior. Several “non-winners-of-two-other-than” allowance events failed to draw sufficient entries at tracks like Monmouth, forcing the stable to bide their time until the right spot opened.
Fresh Start in the Tackleberry Handicap
This Friday, Hades will finally get the opportunity to make his 2025 stakes debut under more favorable conditions. He’ll also be racing on Lasix for the first time—another potential factor that could aid his performance. Edgard Zayas will ride the gelding for the first time.
Among his rivals in the Tackleberry Handicap:
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Awesome Train, trained by Antonio Sano, enters off a strong second-place finish in the Wildcat Red Handicap. He will be ridden by Miguel Vasquez and will carry 121 pounds.
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Catalytic, also from the Sano barn, was runner-up to Fierceness in last year’s Curlin Florida Derby and later unplaced in the Kentucky Derby. Edwin Gonzalez will ride at 119 pounds.
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Relampago Verde, trained by Bobby Dibona, finished third in the Wildcat Red before a disappointing Tapeta effort. He reunites with Jose Morelos and carries 122 pounds.
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Fiveeyesonskystars and Eldest Son complete the six-horse field.
Sano confirmed that both his horses are training well and are expected to run competitively on Friday.
For more information on upcoming races and events, visit the official Gulfstream Park website.
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