Won for Lou will begin a new chapter in South Florida on Saturday when the three-year-old lines up for the $100,000 Bear’s Den Stakes at Gulfstream Park, his first start since joining trainer Jose D’Angelo.
Bear’s Den Stakes
The son of Bucchero has already shown a liking for a mile on turf, winning at that distance at both Del Mar and Santa Anita in Southern California. Now based with D’Angelo, Won for Lou will meet seven rivals in the one-mile turf stakes, which shares top billing on a 10-race programme with the $100,000 Benny the Bull, a seven-furlong handicap for three-year-olds and older horses.
Bear’s Den Stakes is the focus of Saturday’s turf feature at Gulfstream Park.
Won for Lou, owned by Bishop Racing Inc., Lyle Egan and Anthony Hinkson, arrived at D’Angelo’s stable nearly two months ago after being recommended by Doug O’Neill. His Florida breeding was one of the reasons behind the move, and the colt has since been prepared at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream’s satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.
The preparation has gone smoothly, with D’Angelo encouraged by the colt’s recent work. Leonel Reyes will take the ride.
Won for Lou has raced 10 times and appears particularly well suited to the mile. His only other top-three finishes have come at shorter and longer distances, making Saturday’s conditions an important test of his established strengths.
Diciassetta Brings Dirt Form to Turf
Green With MV Stable’s Diciassetta has been given top billing in the field and will attempt something new when making his turf debut.
The Patrick Biancone-trained three-year-old is a stakes winner on dirt and has already tested his ability against some of the leading horses of his division. A son of Mitole, Diciassetta won his first two races at Gulfstream last year, including the Proud Man Stakes, before finishing fourth behind unbeaten Ted Noffey in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland.
His return this season produced fourth-place finishes in the Swale and Sophomore Sprint, along with a third in the Hutcheson. Those efforts followed a setback involving a knee chip, which kept him away from racing while he was given time to recover.
Biancone has indicated that the Bear’s Den will serve as a useful return outing rather than the final objective. T. G. Torrealba has the mount.
Trelawny Carries Strong Recent Form
Trelawny arrives with the strongest overall record in terms of career earnings and victories. The homebred son of Uncle Chuck, owned by Tracy Pinchin and Michael Bernard and trained by Jose Pinchin, has won three races and accumulated more than $175,000.
His latest success came in a 7½-furlong optional claiming allowance on turf, giving him a useful recent reference for the surface and distance. Jose Morelos will return to the saddle.
Trelawny is listed as the third choice on the morning line at 4-1, while Diciassetta heads the field at 3-1 and Won for Lou follows at 7-2.
Elenique Adds Consistency to the Line-up
Elenique, owned by Amy Dunne, JSM Equine LLC, Brenda Miley and Jean Wilikinson, enters the contest after finally breaking her maiden at her ninth attempt.
The daughter of Leinster has built a reputation for consistency and will now take a significant step forward against more accomplished opposition. Rajiv Maragh has been booked to ride.
The remainder of the field includes Ready Knicks, a consistent son of Knicks Go trained by Jeff Engler; Win N Juice, who has improved considerably since moving to trainer Nick Tomlinson; Senor Roberto, a recent maiden winner over two turns on Tapeta for Black Horse Bloodstock LLC; and Move Jesse Move, owned by Diane Amendolara, who is set for a second turf appearance after finishing third over the main track last time out.
With proven turf performers, a dirt stakes winner trying grass for the first time and several runners arriving in improved form, the Bear’s Den promises to provide a useful measure of where these three-year-olds stand as the season develops.
Saturday’s Gulfstream Park programme will feature 10 races, with the Bear’s Den and Benny the Bull forming the centrepiece of the card.
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