BY BROCK SHERIDAN
A winner of the Hollywood Beach on the Gulfstream Park synthetic in his second career start in September, Florida-bred Most Handsome tries to repeat that victory on the turf in the $75,000 Roar at Gulfstream Saturday. The bay gelding is 4-1 on the morning line and is one of seven 3-year-olds, including Florida-bred Mati Gol, in the five-furlong contest.
Owned by trainer Ronald Spatz with David S. Romanik, Most Handsome attempts to duplicate his last out victory going five furlongs on the Gulfstream grass when he led at every point of call to win a first level, $75,000 optional claiming with jockey Emisael Jaramillo. That was his second career race on the turf after finishing fifth, less than three lengths behind winner Incanto (Ire), in the $102,000 Texas Glitter at Gulfstream on March 22. He may have been compromised slightly in the Texas Glitter, however, after he was unable to get his customary place on the lead after being bumped at the start.
Most Handsome has won half of his six career starts with one third while earning $146,000. He is by Pleasant Acres Stallions’ Neolithic out of Precious Lady, by Songandaprayer and was bred in Florida by Julie Ann Jackson.
Consignor On Track sent him through the auction ring at the 2024 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company March Sale but he did not meet his reserve.
(Most Handsome’s Under Tack Video)
Jaramillo will again be aboard Most Handsome from post four.
Trainer Victor Barboza Jr. sends Mati Gol into the Roar for the colt’s first start against stakes company.
After breaking his maiden in his second start on the Gulfstream main track on Dec. 7, the son of Ocala Stud’s Win Win Win has a fourth and a third against first level allowance horses on Jan. 23 and April 24 respectively. In the January race, he had trouble at the start then could not catch future Florida-bred Kentucky Derby starter Neoequos when going six furlongs in the slop. In his last race, he rallied from sixth of seven but could not get to Florida-bred multiple stakes-winner Joey Muscles.
Mati Gol sports a career record of one win with a second and a third in four starts while earning $38,730 for The Tiny Equestrian Group LLC. He is out of Full Flower Moon, by Prospective and was bred in Florida by Jorge Wagner.
Jose E. Morelos rides from the outside post seven.
Rounding out the field are Turbulent Force with jockey Edgard Zayas, Leonel Reyes rides Rolando, Relator will have Rajiv Maragh in the irons, Ortley Avenue (Ire), the 5-2 morning line favorite, will be ridden by Edwin Gonzalez and Luca Panici will guide Mr. Binks.
Return to the May 16 issue of Wire to Wire
