World of Trouble could post surprise in Affirmed

It’s fair to say the connections of World of Trouble were taking an edge when they debuted their horse in a $25,000 maiden claimer on Aug. 10 at Gulfstream Park. World of Trouble was worth considerably more than that, and just how much quality he possesses will be more evident after the $200,000 Affirmed division of the Florida Sire Stakes on Saturday at Gulfstream.

The Affirmed is one of two Sire Stakes divisions and one of three stakes on a 13-race card that begins at noon Eastern. The $75,000 Wasted Tears for female turf route horses goes as race 5, while the $200,000 Susan’s Girl division is race 10 (post time 4:46), and the Affirmed race 12 (post time 5:57).

World of Trouble, trained by Kathleen O’Connell, broke sharply going 5 1/2 furlongs first out, made an easy lead, coasted into the turn, and had his race won before the quarter pole. But it was what he did from there to the finish that really caught the eye, re-breaking in midstretch and flying to the wire through a final half-furlong in six seconds, followed by a strong gallop-out.

The raw talent was apparent, so much so that owner and breeder Darsan Inc. sold the Kantharos colt to owner Michael Dubb. World of Trouble since has turned in a typical O’Connell work, going a slow six furlongs, and he is well drawn in post 8 to break and spy the other speed under Eduardo Nunez.

One main pace rival, Phantom Ro, is way on the other side of the gate, drawn in post 1. Phantom Ro has started his career with two wins, easily capturing a 4 1/2-furlong maiden race in his debut before winning a pace duel and the $100,000 Dr. Fager division of the Sire Stakes by 2 3/4 lengths on Aug. 5. Phantom Ro, by Wildcat Heir, handled the extra 1 1/2 furlongs with no problem last time (though he did carry his head higher than desirable through the homestretch) and in a vacuum could probably do seven furlongs, but as a pace player drawn inside other speed, he could be in for a demanding trip at a fairly short price.

Phantom Ro is one of four entrants in the Affirmed trained by Ralph Nicks, who also starts Capital S., Soutache, and Kingston Pike. Soutache looks the best of that trio, and has a chance to go at least slightly better than his third-place Dr. Fager finish.

Dunk, on the strength of a blowout maiden win July 15, was the 4-5 Dr. Fager favorite, and his supporters will get a better price Saturday. Dunk appeared to be traveling easily contesting the Dr. Fager pace with Phantom Ro before losing his position at the quarter pole. Trainer Stanley Gold said Dunk has been looking to his outside in all four of his starts, and he will race Dunk in blinkers for the first time Saturday.

Highborn, like World of Trouble, is a newcomer to the Sire Stakes, and while he wasn’t as flashy as World of Trouble, his third-out maiden win last time did come at the Affirmed’s seven-furlong trip. Highborn got his last furlong in a solid 12.90 seconds, albeit off modest fractions.

“He’s trained well since then, and is well meant,” said trainer Jose Pinchin, who won this race last year with Three Rules.

New face in Susan’s Girl

It’s not easy to ship south to Florida this time of year, but if Dessert Honeys adapts, her trip from New York could produce a win in the $200,000 Susan’s Girl division of the sire stakes.

Dessert Honeys debuted Aug. 6 in an open maiden at Saratoga and ran well under Javier Castellano to finish fourth of 10, beaten just 2 1/2 lengths, despite a very poor start.

“She’s a pretty good gate horse, but for whatever reason, she didn’t break good,” said trainer Eddie Kenneally. “She lunged a little bit, and Javier just rode her with some patience.”

Dessert Honeys easily had the fastest come-home time in her maiden race, which already has produced next-out winner Quick Quick Quick, and the seven furlongs of the Susan Girl should suit her.

“She’s a big, rangy filly,” said Kenneally. “The distance might be in her favor, and she’s come back and breezed well.”

As for the New York-to-Florida travel, early signs are good.

“She seems to be handling it,” Kenneally said Thursday. “She trained today and the surface doesn’t seem to be an issue.”

Dessert Honeys, one of five maidens in the race, has the outside post in a nine-horse field that includes the first six finishers from the Aug. 5 Desert Vixen division of the Sire Stakes.

Go Astray won that race by 4 3/4 lengths, but it’s fair to wonder if she can repeat the performance. Go Astray already has raced six times, so far has been all speed, and made the lead last time in part because Awesome Mass, the fast odds-on favorite, stumbled just after the start and grabbed her quarter, according to her trainer, Gold.

Awesome Mass, racing on Lasix for the first time, was a sharp maiden winner two races ago, but that start came over just five furlongs, and she, too, could prove pace fodder.

Pantyhose, nipped for second by a nose by Awesome Mass in the Desert Vixen, is worth considering. She’s a four-start maiden but looks like a filly who will benefit from added distance while racing with blinkers on for trainer Ralph Nicks.