BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Smith Ranch Stables Roger That Dana remains in stakes company to start the new year as the Florida-bred colt is set to face eight other 3-year-olds in the $175,000 Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream Park Saturday. Although the one-mile test does not offer any points on the leaderboard to qualify for the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade 1), a victory or strong appearance here makes the winner a possible contender for future Derby prep races. 

The Mucho Macho Man is the first step on the road to Gulfstream’s $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) on March 28, the mile-and-one-eighth premier prep for the Kentucky Derby. The Mucho Macho Man will be followed by the $250,000 Holy Bull (G3) at a mile-and-one-sixteenth on Jan. 31 and the nine-furlong, $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) on Feb. 28.

Included in the Mucho Macho Man purse is $25,000 exclusively for a Florida-bred that finishes in the top three on a $17,500, $5,000, $2,500 schedule.

Roger That Dana was winner of one of two starts as a 2-year-old and makes his first start since finishing third behind winner Strategic Risk after setting the pace in the $300,000 In Reality, the mile-and-one-sixteenth final leg of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Florida Sire Stakes at Gulfstream. The one-mile distance of the Mucho Macho Man may be more suited to Roger That Dana, an easy three-length winner of a six-furlong maiden special weight for Florida-breds at Gulfstream on Oct. 25.

 

Roger That Dana is trained by Luis Ramirez and has earned $68,800 in his two starts for owner Smith Ranch Stables. He was a $85,000 purchase by Sean S. Perl Bloodstock at the 2025 Ocala Breeders’ Sales June Sale of 2-year-olds and horses of racing age where he was consigned by breeder Ocala Stud.

By Ocala Stud stallion Awesome Slew out of Take Me to Zuber out of Toccet, Roger That Dana has post five and jockey Renzo Rojas gets aboard for the first time. 

Two recent maiden winners in the Brad Cox-trained Commandment and Epic Summer for trainer George Weaver appear to be the ones to beat.

Epic Summer is a gelded son of Vekoma and a three-and-a-quarter-length winner of his only race, a six-and-a-half-furlong maiden special weight during the Belmont at Big A meet at Aqueduct on Oct. 26.

He earned $46,750 for owner Black Type Thoroughbreds after being a $77,000 selection by Maddie Mattmiller as agent during the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. 

Epic Summer will be ridden from post three by Tyler Gaffalione.

Commandment won his second start by five-and-a-quarter lengths, a seven-furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs on Nov. 1, after finishing fourth on debut at Keeneland on Oct. 4.

An earner $74,319 for owner Wanthan Racing, the bay son of Into Mischief was a $500,000 purchase by Case Clay Thoroughbred Management at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Irad Ortiz Jr. has the riding assignment and they will depart post one.

Also set for the Mucho Macho Man are Cabourg with Junior Alvarado named to ride, Jose Morelos will guide Mr. Hooligan, Tripp’s Promise and jockey Corey Lanerie, Blame Yasself has John Velazquez taking the call, Max Capacity will have Edgard Zayas in the irons and David Egan will be up on Thunder Chuck.

Return to the January 2 issue of Wire to Wire