Gulfstream: Fully Loaded Ready to Fire in Saturday’s $100,000 Dr. Fager

By David Joseph —-

Undefeated Colt Pinchin’s Latest Florida Sire Stakes Prospect

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Fully Loaded looms as a short-priced favorite in Saturday’s $100,000 Dr. Fager Division of the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes at Gulfstream Park on the strength of strong showings in his two lifetime starts.

The undefeated colt also has the added cache of being associated with a trainer with a proven record of excellence in the Florida Sire Stakes series over the years.

“We’ve just had the right horses for the right races,” trainer Jose Pinchin said. “I only run Florida-breds. I have very few other horses. We have Florida-breds, so we gear up for that series.”

Fully Loaded could well be the right horse for the Dr. Fager, a six-furlong sprint for 2-year-old offspring of nominated stallions standing in Florida. The son of Two Step Salsa debuted with a narrow victory over Todd Pletcher-trained Social Paranoia May 28 before registering a dazzling 7 ½-length romp in an optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream July 6.

Heading into the 2018 FSS, Fully Loaded’s impressive start to his career might tempt some to compare him to the Pinchin-trained Three Rules, who swept the 2016 Florida Sire Stakes series.

“It’s hard to do. When he does what Three Rules has done, then you can do it,” quipped Pinchin, who trains Fully Loaded for Calypso Stable and Rousseau Racing.

In addition to Three Rules, Pinchin has achieved FSS success with Big City Man (2007 Dr. Fager), Holywell (2014 Susan’s Girl and Mr. Dear Girl) and It’s High Time (2015 Desert Vixen).

In addition to Fully Loaded, Pinchin will be represented by Jackson in the Dr. Fager. The son of Kantharos, a homebred colt owned by Pinchin’s wife, Tracy, posted a front-running triumph in his July 15 debut.

“I have two nice horses. Jackson is a nice horse. He’s a little on the green side, but he’s a nice horse,” Pinchin said.

Edgard Zayas has the return mount aboard Fully Loaded, while Emisael Jaramillo has been named to ride Jackson.

Trainer Michael Yates will also have two horses in the 10-horse Dr. Fager field, as well as likely favorite Nancysaidso in Saturday’s $100,000 FSS Desert Vixen for fillies. Cajun Firecracker and Cajun Embers, a pair of homebreds of Yates’ Shadybrook Farm, both enter the Dr. Fager off debut victories.

Cajun Firecracker, who won by two lengths April 13, will return from a 2 ½-month layoff Saturday.

“He broke his maiden very early. He’s a May foal. I gave him 30 days off at the farm and started him back and planned his works leading up to the race. He’s working really well. He worked with Nancysaidso [May 20]. She came to him at the wire and they hooked up at the wire and went out really nice together,” said Yates, whose colt breezed a half-mile in 47.52 seconds, the second fastest work of 34 at the distance behind only Nancysaidso’s 47.52.

Cajun Embers closed from off the pace to win his June 16 debut by 3 ¾ lengths.

Miguel Vasquez has been named to ride Cajun Firecracker, while Jesus Rios has the call on Cajun Embers.

Trainer Stanley Gold, who has saddled a record 18 FSS winners, will be represented by Arindel’s Nacho Papa, who won at first asking May 12 by 3 ¾ lengths before finishing a distant second behind Fully Loaded last time out.

“The favorite will be Pinchin’s horse. We’ll probably all be chasing him. Yates has a lot of speed in his horses,” trainer Gold said. “Hopefully, there’ll be a good, hot early pace and we can be close and overtake them.”

Jeffrey Sanchez has the return mount aboard the homebred son of Brethren.

Take Command is among a strong group of first-out winners entered in the Dr. Fager. Owned by Tropic Lightning Stable, the son of Field Commission scored by five-lengths in his July 4 debut at five furlongs.

Nik Juarez has been named to return aboard Take Command.

Garbar Boy, who broke his maiden in a $50,000 claimer last time out, and maidens Cosmic Shift, Garter and Tie and Arba round out the field.

Gulfstream Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida, and is one of North America’s top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world’s largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; XpressBet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry