BY GULFSTREAM PARK PRESS OFFICE (Edited)
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL—Just a half-furlong can go a long, long way in Mattingly finding the Gulfstream Park winner’s circle Saturday.
Ironhorse Racing Stable LLC and Harlow Stables LLC’s tough-as-nails 5-year-old gelding has been installed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite for the $60,000 Carotari, a five-and-a-half-furlong overnight handicap for 3-year-olds and older on Tapeta. Mattingly has won three of his four starts on Gulfstream’s all-weather surface and has a win and a second in his two races at five-and-a-half furlongs.
The Florida-bred son of Bucchero most recently ran out of ground while finishing a late-closing third in a five-furlong, $60,000 Chasing Artie overnight handicap on turf after just getting up in time to score a narrow victory in the five-furlong $92,000 Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint that was transferred to Tapeta.
“He runs turf and Tapeta equally as well. I’m more happy about the five-and-a-half [furlongs],” trainer Joe Orseno said. “I’m good with what we’re doing this weekend because I think it suits him a little better.
Diego Herrera will ride Mattingly for the first time in the Carotari and they will depart post six.
Mattingly will carry 122 pounds while in receipt of one pound from highweight Poulin in O T, a Woodbine invader who has won seven of his 17 career starts on Tapeta. Owned and trained by Steve Owens, the 6-year-old Reload gelding won a $50,000 optional claiming, starter allowance on Gulfstream’s Tapeta course in March.
Micah Husbands, who guided Poulin in O T to victory over Gulfstream’s all-weather surface in January 2025, has the mount. Poulin in O T is 9-2 in the program and has post seven.
Green With MV Stable’s Diciassette, who finished second by a head in his first start on Tapeta in the $99,000 Bear’s Den on August 29 that was moved from turf to the all-weather track, has produced a strong series of workouts for his return to action in the Carotari.
The 3-year-old Florida-bred son of Mitole, a stakes winner on dirt, drew post 10 position for his first start against older rivals and is 6-1 on the morning line.
“If there are some scratches, he’ll be more competitive. Being so wide going five-and-a-half furlongs is tough,” trainer Patrick Biancone said. “He’s been training well, but he’s a 3-year-old facing some nice older horses.”
Diciassette is out of Im a Dixie Diva, by Henny Hughes and was bred in Florida by Dominique Damico of Ocala
Miguel Vasquez has the call on Diciassette, who will carry 116 pounds.
Rounding out the field are Florida-bred Full Disclosure with Marcos Meneses riding, Florida-bred Esperon will have Leonel Reyes up, Florida-bred Wootun has Jose Morelos taking the riding assignment, jockey Edwin Gonzalez teams with Wildncrazynight, Florida-bred Louie the Sun King will have Sonny Leon in the saddle and Nik Juarez has the call on Florida-bred Takecareofbusiness.
Return to the November 6 issue of Wire to Wire
