Gulfstream: Guns Loaded Fires Big in $165,000 Mucho Macho Man Win

By David Joseph —-

Guns Loaded – right – the Mucho Macho Man credit Ryan Thompson
Guns Loaded Fires Big in $165,000 Mucho Macho Man Win

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Morplay Racing, Joey Platts and Lady Sheila Stable’s Guns Loaded, stepping up to stakes company off a mid-November maiden triumph, established the early lead and had enough left to turn back late-running longshot Treaty of Rome for a neck victory in Saturday’s $165,000 Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream Park.

The 14th running of the Mucho Macho Man for newly turned 3-year-olds going one mile co-headlined an 11-race program along with the $165,000 Ginger Brew for 3-year-old fillies scheduled for one mile on the grass.

Named for the Florida-bred earner of more than $5.6 million in lifetime purses that made Gulfstream-based trainer Kathy Ritvo the first woman to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in 2013, the Mucho Macho Man is the first step for sophomores on the road to the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) March 29.

Ridden by Luis Saez for trainer Jose D’Angelo, Guns Loaded ($4.60) completed the distance in 1:38.87 over a fast main track as the 6-5 favorite for his second straight win and the second consecutive Mucho Macho Man triumph for Saez following Otello in 2024. Saez also won with Mutasaabeq in 2021.

Guns Loaded sprang from the rail post and was alone up front after Macho Music, who was expected to challenge for the lead, broke poorly and found himself shuffled back early. Saez and Guns Loaded went the opening quarter-mile in 24.54 seconds and the half in 47.61 tracked by D’Angelo-trained stablemate McKellen with Treaty of Rome third and previously undefeated Septarian in the clear in fourth.

“The trip was perfect,” Saez said. “We were concerned about [Macho Music]. He have a lot of speed, but he missed the break and we ended up on the lead and we took it. He was traveling pretty great. Pretty comfortable. When we came to the top of the stretch, I was trying to save as much horse as I could.”

Six furlongs went in 1:12.75 with Guns Loaded still in command, straightening for home as McKellen began to drop back and Treaty of Rome was swung outside for his bid by jockey Dylan Davis. Guns Loaded clung to the lead as Treaty of Rome closed stoutly but ran out of time, finishing 3 ¾ lengths ahead of Septarian.

Macho Music, Cool Intentions, McKellen and Sonic Skidaddle completed the order of finish. Naughty Rascal and Rolando were scratched.

“I was pretty sure that he was going to be on the lead. I was just afraid that he would go too fast because it was his first time going the mile and from the number one [post] you have to ask a little bit from the gate, but everything worked perfect,” D’Angelo said. “I worked a little this week at the gate with him … because you have to go in before everybody, wait, and break sharp, and that’s what happened.”

Guns Loaded ran second in his late August unveiling at Saratoga before graduating by 2 ¾ lengths Nov. 16 at Churchill Downs. He tuned up for his sophomore opener with four breezes at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream’s satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.

“Today he looked green again,” D’Angelo said. “He ran the first time out in Saratoga and he tried to go inside, and he did the same today. I asked Luis about the gallop out and he said when he saw the other horse he got another gear. So that’s good, but we have to train him now going forward.”

D’Angelo said the $250,000 Holy Bull (G3) going 1 1/16 miles Feb. 1 at Gulfstream would be the next target for Guns Loaded.

“That’s the plan,” he said.

About The Stronach Group and 1/ST

The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group’s 1/ST business (pronounced “First”) is North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park – home of The California Crown and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, The Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group’s TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company’s live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). For more information email david.joseph@GulfstreamPark.com and visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.