Gulfstream: Sweetontheladies Looking to Score in Saturday’s Benny The Bull

By David Joseph —-

Sweetontheladies Looking to Score in Saturday’s Benny The Bull
Race Attracts Mr. Jordan, Splash Rules

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Sweetontheladies returns to action at Gulfstream Park in the $75,000 Benny The Bull Saturday after adding ‘Grade 1 stakes-placed’ to his resume at Saratoga last time out.

Owned by the Four Horsemen Racing Stable and Lady Lindsay Racing Stable, the 4-year-old son of Twirling Candy made a late run to finish third behind victorious Imperial Hint and runner-up Warrior’s Club in the July 28 Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1)

“He ran his race. When he’s got pace to run into, he always shows up. He’s a very honest horse,” trainer Henry Collazo said. “Whenever he’s misfired, he’s had a reason.”

The third-place finish, accomplished by closing from last in the stretch after hitting the gate at the start, was icing on the cake for Collazo, who has a special appreciation for Saratoga.

“That’s my roots. I used to groom horses in New York. Whenever I ship a horse, I take care of it myself. One horse, I can handle one horse. It’s enjoyment. I love it,” Collazo said. “It puts a smile on my face just thinking about it.”

Sweetontheladies entered the Vanderbilt off a third place finish behind X Y Jet in the June 30 Smile Sprint (G3) at Gulfstream Park, where he was placed second via disqualification.

Purchased for $25,000 as a 2-year-old in training at the 2016 OBS April sale, Sweetontheladies had previously finished second behind Classic Rock in Gulfstream Park Sprint (G3) during this year’s Championship Meet.

“He’s a pleasure to train. I’m blessed to have him in my barn,” Collazo said.

As consistent and productive as he has been in graded-stakes company, the pace-dependent Sweetontheladies will seek his first victory in over a year in the Benny The Bull, a seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up at attracted a field of nine.

Marcos Meneses has the mount.

Mr. Jordan, a graded-stakes winner bred and owned by David Melin, Leon Ellman and Laurie Plesa, is far less pace-dependent. The Eddie Plesa Jr.-trained 6-year-old gelding has won nine of 31 starts and has finished in the money 21 times while earning $750,000 with a versatile running style.

Mr. Jordan most recently stalked the pace in the mile Coast Is Clear but was unable to make any impact in the stretch while finishing fourth in the July 22 race that followed an eighth-place finish in the Smile on the Summit of Speed program.

“He came up with a case of the thumps after his last race. That’s certainly didn’t help,” Plesa said. “He came back with a very sharp work nine days ago and is training well.

Mr. Jordan had previously broken through with his first triumph over the Gulfstream track in the Big Drama Stakes at the seven-furlong distance of the Benny The Bull.

“He showed that he can win on that racetrack at that distance,” Plesa said. “He’s doing good, training good, so I’m looking for a big effort from him.”

The 6-year-old gelded son of Kantharos will be ridden by Edgard Zayas.

Multiple-stakes winner Splash Rules enters the Benny The Bull in winning form, capturing a six-furlong optional claiming allowance Aug. 4

“He’s been training good. He’s been training the same way as he did before his last race,” trainer John Vinson said.

The 5-year-old gelded son of Pomeroy, who is owned by Douglas Gibson, had gone winless in four starts after winning three races in a row during last year’s Summer Meet at Gulfstream, including a win in the seven-furlong Alabama Jacks.

Emisael Jaramillo has the mount.

Other serious contenders include multiple-stakes winner Mo Cash, who captured a six-furlong optional claiming allowance July 13; and the 2-3 finishers in the Coast Is Clear, Zipping and Hy Riverside. Rupp, Front Loaded and Express Jet 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.