BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Fourth in the $150,000 Tremont at Saratoga last out, Amy E. Dunne and Partick L. Biancone’s Florida-bred Classic of Course returns to the Sunshine State for the $75,000 Proud Man at Gulfstream Park Saturday. The six-furlong Proud Man will feature eight 2-year-olds and a $20,000 Top 3 bonus for Florida-breds presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.
Five Florida-breds are entered, three of which are eligible for the $1.2 million FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes. The $100,000 Dr. Fager, set for six furlongs on Sept. 7 at Gulfstream, is the first leg of the colts and geldings division of the Florida Sire Stakes. The $100,000 Florida Sire Stakes Desert Vixen for fillies will be run on the same day.
Classic of Course, I’mbiggerthanIlook and Mila’s Wish are eligible for the FSS.
Also trained by Biancone, Classic of Course was promising in his first career race, winning by six-and-a-half lengths against special weight maidens going four-and-a-half furlongs on May 3 at Gulfstream. He shipped north for the five-and-a-half furlong Tremont during the Belmont Festival on June 6 but could not keep pace with winner Studlydoright.
Classic of Course is by Awesome of Course out of Alma Mater, by Honor Code and has earned $54,000 in his two starts. He was bred in Florida by Amy E. and Ciaran G. Dunne.
Emisael Jaramillo takes the call of the 2-1 morning line favorite and they have drawn post six.
The richest among the Proud Man contenders with $55,400 in earnings is Florida-bred I’mbiggerthanIlook for trainer Jose Pinchin.
The son of Ocala Stud stallion Adios Charlie won his first race in his second lifetime start, defeating special weight maidens by two-and-a-half lengths over a sloppy five furlongs at Gulfstream on June 30. He was second to Kirin in his first race against special weight maidens at Gulfstream on May 31.
I’mbiggerthanIlook is owned by David Hunt and was bred in Florida by Tonya Hunt. He is out of Toni Ann’s Miracle, by Hear No Evil and will be ridden by Drayden Van Dyke from post one.
I’mbiggerthanIlook is 7-2 on the morning line.
Also look for Florida-bred Joey Muscles, a length-and-a-half winner of a maiden special weight for Florida-breds at Gulfstream in his last race on July 7.
Trained by Jena Antonucci for John Grossi’s Racing Corp., Joey Muscles was the 8-5 favorite in his debut but finished third behind winner Global Legend and runner-up Candycrumbs after a slow start. Candycrumbs just won the $105,000 Hickory Tree at Colonial Downs Aug. 3 and Global Legend is entered in Saturday’s Grade 2 Saratoga Special.
Joey Muscles is by Journeyman Stud stallion Khozan out of Smokin Red Hot, by Stormy Atlantic and was bred in Florida by John Grossi. He has earned $28,400 in his two starts.
Jose Morelos will get a leg up on the 4-1 morning line choice and they will break from post two.
Completing the field are Rafid with jockey Leonel Reyes, Sonny Leon rides Rocka Storm, Naughty Rascal will be ridden by Edwin Gonzalez, Legal Maneuver has Jose Ferrer named to ride and Mila’s Wish with Miguel Vasquez aboard.
