Joe Orseno will be represented by two experienced turf sprinters when Sunday’s $70,000 Warrior’s Pride is contested over five furlongs at Gulfstream Park, with Mattingly returning from a three-month break and Extendo looking to put two troubled efforts behind him.
Warrior’s Pride Gulfstream Park is the focus of a field that brings together proven turf specialists, versatile sprinters and several runners seeking to establish themselves on grass.
Mattingly, owned by Ironhorse Racing Stable LLC and Harlow Stables LLC, returns as a five-year-old son of Bucchero after finishing outside the frame in his May 3 start behind Okiro and Extendo. That effort came after a productive spell at two, when he established himself as a stakes-winning turf sprinter.
His comeback also brings a significant change. Mattingly has been gelded during his time away from racing, following a minor splint-bone problem that required treatment and prompted the decision to give him an extended break.
Orseno has been encouraged by Mattingly’s preparation, and the gelding has reportedly been working in a manner reminiscent of his best form. The trainer had initially considered running both Mattingly and Rezasrolex in the Warrior’s Pride, but with both horses progressing well, he elected to split them up. Rezasrolex is instead scheduled to contest the Troy Stakes at Saratoga.
Mattingly will have J. G. Torrealba aboard.
Extendo, owned by Robert Cotran, carries the top weight of 123 pounds, one more than Mattingly. The six-year-old son of Handsome Mike has built a reputation as a reliable turf and Tapeta sprinter but enters the race after two performances that did not reflect his usual standard.
A health issue was suspected after one of those outings, although subsequent bloodwork failed to identify a problem. In his most recent start, Extendo struck the side of the starting gate and suffered cuts while also losing two shoes. He nevertheless remains a major player if he can return to his established level.
Edwin Gonzalez takes the mount on Extendo.
Trainer Gerald Bennett has three runners in the field, headed by Rouki, along with Naughty Rascal and Chrome Ghost.
Rouki arrives in particularly good form. The six-year-old turf-sprint stakes winner recently returned to winning ways in an optional claiming allowance, covering five furlongs in 54.22 seconds and scoring by three and a quarter lengths. Edgar Perez retains the ride.
Naughty Rascal has won two of his three career starts on turf, including the 2024 Armed Forces at Gulfstream. His latest appearance came on the main track, where he finished outside the placings. Miguel Vasquez is booked to ride.
Chrome Ghost, a stakes winner on dirt, faces a new challenge. The 25-race veteran has never raced on turf, making Sunday’s assignment an important test for the nine-year-old? Wait, source says “sprint stakes winner on dirt” but age not provided. Need not invent. Rasheed Hughes has the mount.
Cruzin Man brings another strong record on turf. Trained by Rohan Crichton, the six-year-old gelding has finished in the money in nine of 14 turf starts and arrives after a determined victory in a five-furlong optional claiming allowance. He raced on the pace throughout and held on by a neck.
The son of Chitu also has proven ability on Tapeta, having finished in the money eight times from 13 starts on the surface. Anthony Thomas will ride, with 119 pounds assigned.
Warrior’s Pride Gulfstream Park also gives veteran Xy Speed another opportunity to return to the winner’s circle. The 10-year-old gelding, trained by Michael Lerman, has won 15 races on turf and accumulated close to $650,000 in purse earnings. He has not won in his last nine starts but was third behind Rouki last time and remains capable of making his presence felt from off the pace.
Leonel Reyes will ride Xy Speed, who carries 120 pounds.
Nick’s Bro is another runner looking to make his mark on the turf. The Andrea Puckett-trained Mshawish gelding has done much of his best work on Tapeta but has finished second in both of his starts over the Gulfstream turf course. He will carry 118 pounds with Jonathan Ocasio aboard.
Takecareofbusiness completes the field. The Joel Santiano-trained Bucchero gelding has placed in 13 of 19 starts on Tapeta and will be chasing his first turf victory in his sixth start on grass. Heriberto Figueroa has the mount, with 118 pounds assigned.
With Mattingly returning from a break, Extendo attempting to rebound and Rouki arriving off a convincing victory, the Warrior’s Pride has several runners with credible claims. The five-furlong trip should leave little room for error, particularly with a field containing several established speed horses.
For Orseno, the race offers the chance to see whether Mattingly can recapture his earlier form while Extendo attempts to put a difficult recent sequence firmly behind him.
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