Centennial Farms’ promising runner Antiquarian is poised for a return to the track this Saturday at Gulfstream Park, marking his first start since last summer. The colt, trained by the decorated Todd Pletcher, last ran in the Belmont Stakes, where an incident during the race cost him a chance at contention. Now a 4-year-old, the bay colt returns to action in a second-level allowance optional claimer over seven furlongs, part of an 11-race Saturday card.
Antiquarian has shown flashes of real talent, having captured the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes at Aqueduct with an impressive performance. Although he bypassed racing as a juvenile, he quickly made up ground during his 3-year-old campaign, notching wins and earning experience in graded stakes company. Purchased as a yearling for a notable sum, his connections have given him ample time to rest and develop physically after a busy season capped by his run at Saratoga.
The winter months were spent regrouping at Palm Beach Downs, where he clocked a series of timed workouts, gradually building up to this return. Notable among his drills were two sharp five-furlong breezes that indicated he was nearing peak condition. His handlers have expressed satisfaction with his physical maturity and readiness for competition again. With jockey Edgard Zayas taking the reins, he’ll face a competitive field including experienced campaigners and multiple stakes performers.
Antiquarian is not the only bright spot for his connections this spring. His half-sister, Fondly, has been unbeaten in her two starts this year and is expected to compete in the prestigious Kentucky Oaks. Her success has added optimism as Antiquarian begins his new season. His family line, which includes the accomplished Preservationist, hints at long-term potential, especially with a carefully mapped campaign ahead.
In other juvenile news, Squire, trained by Patrick Biancone and owned by Amy Dunne, broke his maiden in his debut outing at Gulfstream Park. Despite a bumpy start, he showed resilience and speed, tracking the pace before mounting a determined stretch run to win by a narrow margin. His connections were visibly pleased, having already found success earlier in the month with another 2-year-old by the same sire.
The stallion Leinster, who stands in Florida, has gotten off to a strong start in his stud career, producing two early winners from just a handful of runners. Squire’s next stop is expected to be the Royal Palm Juvenile on May 10, a turf sprint that serves as a gateway to Royal Ascot. Trainer Biancone is confident that Squire has the quality to stretch out and handle different conditions, much like his sire, who was a top-level performer on the grass.
Saturday’s racing card also features a sizable Rainbow 6 pool, with the jackpot estimated to reach $100,000. The popular wager spans races 6 through 11 and includes a variety of maiden and allowance contests. A highlight is the debut of Silver Skillet, a seasoned New York-bred making her first start of the year in a competitive turf event for older fillies and mares. In the finale, several well-regarded maidens will try to break through in a one-mile turf test.
To win the full Rainbow 6 jackpot, a single bettor must hold the only ticket with all six winners. If no unique ticket is sold, a portion of the day’s pool is paid out to the most successful tickets, while the rest rolls over. This system has helped create buzz around the wager and continues to attract attention on big racing days.
Friday’s action at the track saw apprentice rider Micah Husbands make waves with three victories, a standout day that included wins aboard horses trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. His performance highlighted the emerging talent in the jockey colony and added excitement heading into a stacked weekend at Gulfstream Park.
