Gulfstream News & Notes: Sano to Train Gunnevera to up to Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)

By David Joseph —-

Curlin’s Approval to Seek Breeders’ Cup Berth in Keeneland Stakes
Gemonteer Makes Gulfstream Return in Saturday’s Bear’s Den

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Trainer Antonio Sano has opted to train Gunnevera up to a planned start in the $6 Million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs Nov. 3.

“The horse will breeze in two weeks,” Gulfstream Park West-based Sano said. “He’ll have three breezes before the Breeders’ Cup.”

Margoth’s 4-year-old son of Dialed In most recently finished second behind Yoshida in the Sept. 1 Woodward Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, overcoming an extremely wide trip to close from 11th to check in two lengths behind the winner. Gunnevera had previously won the 2016 Saratoga Special (G2) and finished second in the 2017 Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

“I’m so happy with him to run so good at Saratoga,” Sano said. “He ran a great race. He was wide all the time but still ran a great race.”

Gunnevera, a multiple Grade 2-stakes winner who has earned more than $3 million in purses, finished third in the $16 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream last January before sustaining a nasty foot injury during an off-the-board finish in the Dubai World Cup (G1) last March.
The Kentucky-bred colt was freshened in Ocala for two months to give the foot time to heal before returning to training. He returned to action with a sharp 6 ½-length victory in an August 10 optional claiming allowance while prepping for the Woodward.

Gunnevera finished in a dead-heat for fifth with Arrogate after a wide trip in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar last year before making his 2018 debut in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational, which will be renewed at Gulfstream Park Jan. 26, when North America’s richest race ($9 million) will be accompanied by the new $7 million Pegasus World Turf Cup Invitational (G1).

“After the Breeders’ Cup, I’ll talk to the owner about the Pegasus,” Sano said. “He’s a very sound horse, doing good.

Curlin’s Approval to Seek Breeders’ Cup Berth in Keeneland Stakes

Multiple graded-stakes winner Curlin’s Approval is training at Gulfstream Park for a planned start in the $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) at Keeneland Oct. 6. The six-furlong stakes for fillies and mares is a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ race offering a fees-paid berth in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs.

Curlin’s Approval had earned a fees-paid spot in the Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar last year by capturing the Princess Rooney (G2) at Gulfstream, only to stumble badly out of the starting gate and finish far back. The 5-year-old daughter of Curlin was favored to repeat in this year’s Princess Rooney on the June 30th Summit of Speed program, but she finished fourth after steadying in traffic leaving the backstretch. She rebounded with an impressive 2 ½-length triumph in the Aug. 12 Sugarloaf Key Stakes at Gulfstream, running six furlongs in 1:09.08.

“She’s been training great and looks great. I’ve always been amazed with the way she keeps her weight. I’m still working on travel arrangements, but am pointing her to Keeneland,” said trainer Happy Alter, who owns the homebred mare with Bridlewood Farm. “Looking back at the Princess Rooney, I believe the rail post didn’t work out for her; that’s a very tough place to start from at Gulfstream at seven furlongs.”

Gemonteer Makes Gulfstream Return in Saturday’s Bear’s Den

Gelfenstein Farm’s Gemonteer will make a return to action at Gulfstream Park in Saturday’s $75,000 Bear’s Den, seeking to rebound from an off-the-board finish in the Aug. 3 Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (G2) at Saratoga.

The Jenna Antonucci-trained son of Distorted Humor, who had previously won two of three starts over the Gulfstream turf course, has been installed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the 7 ½-furlong turf stakes for 3-year-olds.

Gemonteer faded to finish ninth in the Hall of Fame, which was run over a yielding turf course.

“He wasn’t a fan of the very, very soft going. Yielding was a generous label for the turf course that day,” Antonucci said. “It was the only race that stayed on the turf that day and it probably should have come off too.”

Gemonteer certainly showed an affinity for the firm going at Gulfstream in his first three career starts, breaking his maiden at first asking against older horses April 29, finishing second against elders in a June 15 optional claiming allowance after receiving race-long pressure, and capturing the $100,000 Not Surprising Stakes July 7, when he drew off to win by 4 ¾ lengths after dueling for the lead throughout the mile race for 3-year-olds.

“I think what we’re most impressed with is how he’s matured both physically and mentally. Obviously being so lightly raced, he’s learned so much with every start,” Antonucci said.

Gemonteer is scheduled to break from the No. 10 post position against nine rivals with Miguel Vasquez slated to return to the saddle.

“We’re not concerned about the post position. He’s going to run his race. Miguel is going to give him a great ride – that’s all we can do,” Antonucci said.

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.