BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Nearly, a winner of his last two starts by a combined 14 ¼ lengths, leads a contingent of four Florida-bred 3-year-olds nominated to the $275,000 Holy Bull (Grade 3), a mile-and-one-sixteenth test to be run at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 31. There are 21 total sophomores nominated to the major prep race for the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) to be run at Gulfstream on March 28. The Holy Bull also offers 42 qualifying points, allocated to the top five finishers on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis for the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade 1) set for May 2 at Churchill Downs. The Holy Bull purse includes $25,000 from the Florida-bred Incentive Fund for the owners of Florida-breds that finish in the top three paid on a 70%-20%-10% scale.
A $350,000 purchase by Centennial Farms at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and trained by Todd Pletcher, Nearly was unsuccessful after a troubled trip in his first start during the Belmont at Big A meet in October but has not lost in two races since.
He won a six-furlong maiden special weight for Florida-breds by nine-and-a-quarter lengths at Gulfstream on Nov. 22 then drew off in the stretch to take a first condition, $75,000 optional claiming going seven furlongs at Gulfstream last out on Jan. 2.
An earner of $76,400 in his three starts, Nearly is by Not This Time out of Ib Prospecting, by Mineshaft and was bred in Florida by Wind Hill Farm.
Florida-bred Roger That Dana looks to solidify his place on the Derby trail after finishing second to Commandment in the $155,000 Mucho Macho Man (Listed), a one-turn mile test for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 3.
The ridgling son of Ocala Stud resident Awesome Slew won a Florida-bred maiden special weight by three lengths on debut on Oct. 25 then was third behind winner Strategic Risk in the $300,000 In Reality division of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Florida Sire Stakes on Nov. 29.
Florida-bred Strategic Risk since was the dominant winner of the $250,000 Smarty Jones (Listed) at Oaklawn Park on Jan. 3.
Roger That Dana is trained by Luis Ramirez for Lynn Elin Smith’s Smith Ranch Stables and has earned $103,200 in his three starts, all at Gulfstream. He is out of Take Me to Zuber, by Toccet and was bred in Florida by Ocala Stud.
Trainer Patrick Biancone has nominated Redland Rebels for owner Calypso Racing Stables LLC.
Redland Rebels broke his maiden on the turf in his second and most recent race, winning a one-mile maiden special weight on Aug. 3.
He is by the late Uncle Chuck out of Kombat Cat, by D’Wildcat and was bred in Florida by Hickstead Farm. Redland Rebels has career earnings of $52,600.
Trainer Lynn Rarick has nominated Mr Mo’s Magic for owners Ray Huelsman and Keith Anderson. Also by Uncle Chuck, Mr Mo’s Magic has won one of four starts with earnings of $37,180.
Mr Mo’s Magic scored in a maiden special weight going a mile on the turf at Tampa Bay Downs on Dec. 12 in his third start and was most recently sixth in a first level allowance race at Tampa Bay Downs going a mile-and-40 yards on Jan. 16.
The grey or roan colt is out of Magical Flair, by Defrere and was bred in Florida by Gerardo Bello.
Florida-breds have won the Holy Bull ten times, going back to Pride of Burkaan in 1993 and Suave Prospect in 1995 when it was the Preview Stakes. Other Florida-bred winners include Arthur L. in 1997, Hal’s Hope (2000), Radical Riley (2001) Booklet (2002), Second of June (2004), Closing Argument (2005), Hey Byrn (2008) and Hades in 2024.
Return to the January 21 issue of Wire to Wire
