Curlin’s Approval looks formidable

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Owner and breeder Happy Alter said he has some not-so inside information for those wagering on Saturday’s $200,000, seven-furlong Inside Information Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

“We’re going to be tough to beat,” Alter said, referring to his steadily improving filly Curlin’s Approval, who figures to be heavily favored to add the Grade 2 Inside Information to a résumé that includes a victory in the Grade 2 Royal Delta here four weeks ago.

Curlin’s Approval, who also captured the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie at seven furlongs earlier in the meet, has never been better. She drew off to a six-length decision while trying two turns for the first time in the 1 1/16-mile Royal Delta, earning a career-best 96 Beyer Speed Figure.

“Turning back to seven furlongs after she won at a mile and one-sixteenth is something I normally wouldn’t do,” said Alter, who oversees the training of Curlin’s Approval on a regular basis, although Marty Wolfson is listed as the trainer of record. “But because she’s here at Gulfstream, the race is in our own backyard, and it’s another Grade 2 for $200,000, it was worth cutting back to seven-eighths again.”

Curlin’s Approval drew the outside post in the eight-horse field, with regular rider Luis Saez aboard again.

“While a lot of people seem to like the outside post, I prefer posts 2, 3, and 4 because from the outside, you have to wait for the other horses to take position,” Alter said. “But having the leading jock on the top horse, he should be able to put us in the right position.”

Although Curlin’s Approval likely will be a prohibitive favorite, she faces some stern competition, led by Dearest, who captured the Grade 3 Sugar Swirl in her most recent start Dec. 17. Dearest will be joined in the lineup by her uncoupled stablemate, Danessa Again. Both fillies are trained by Gilberto Zerpa.

The remainder of the field consists of Moment of Delight, a winner of three of her last five starts, each of those victories coming in stakes; Mia Torri, who captured the Sunshine Millions Distaff in her 2017 debut; Summer Reading; Distinta; and the supplemental entrant Wheatfield, who ships in from Fair Grounds.

KEY CONTENDERS

Curlin’s Approval, by Curlin Last 3 Beyers: 96-93-89

◗ Has lost just twice over the track, but one of those defeats was to Dearest in last year’s Azalea.

Dearest, by Midshipman Last 3 Beyers: 93-93-88

◗ She’s perfect in two starts at seven furlongs, including a 1 1/2-length score in the Azalea here last summer.

Distinta, by Summer Bird Last 3 Beyers: 86-87-81

◗ She rallied from next to last to finish second, beaten a neck by Moment of Delight, in the White Pearl overnight stakes on Feb. 18 and looks like she could be the major beneficiary in a field loaded with speed types.