GULFSTREAM Gotta Go Trying to earn Derby trip

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Ian Wilkes knows a thing or two about being on the Kentucky Derby trail, having been in the winner’s circle twice, first as the exercise rider for Unbridled in 1990 and again as an assistant to trainer Carl Nafzger 17 years later with Street Sense.

Wilkes had a Derby starter of his own a year ago, the highly regarded McCraken, who was virtually eliminated when knocked around in traffic shortly after the start, finishing eighth as the second choice in the wagering behind race winner Always Dreaming.

Wilkes has another promising 3-year-old on his hands this season in Gotta Go, a son of Shanghai Bobby who became a stakes winner at 2 when capturing the Street Sense at Churchill Downs on Oct. 29. Wilkes hopes to find out if Gotta Go fits in the Derby picture on Saturday when he sends him out against reigning juvenile champion Good Magic and the undefeated Strike Power in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth.

“It’s time for him to toughen up a little and face better horses,” said Wilkes. “We’ve all got Derby dreams, but let’s make sure that we belong there first.”

Wilkes hoped to get an early idea in that regard in Gotta Go’s 2-year-old finale, the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs. Instead he came away scratching his head after his colt finished a troubled 13th, more than 30 lengths behind the top two finishers, Enticed and Tiz Mischief.

“The Jockey Club was just a debacle,” said Wilkes. “All I know is that unfortunately another rider went down on the first turn, he got into a real traffic jam, and just wasn’t the same horse after that.”

Wilkes gave Gotta Go time off to recover, both physically and mentally, from that race, bringing him back to finish second behind the odds-on Strike Power in the six-furlong Swale here Feb. 3.

“I wanted to start him back at six furlongs as a steppingstone for the Fountain of Youth – that was the plan all along – and I thought he ran a very good race in the Swale,” said Wilkes. “I was proud of him. Obviously, this track doesn’t really suit his style, and I considered sending him up to New York for the Gotham. But he got over the track fine in the Swale, so I’ve got no problem running him back here again.”

Wilkes could have a big day Saturday as he also plans to send out his undefeated 3-year-old filly Cicatrix in the Grade 2 Davona Dale and turf specialist Nessy in the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida.

Cicatrix launched her career with a very impressive seven-length maiden win at Churchill Downs on Nov. 16, then came back to win the Glitter Woman in her 3-year-old debut here seven weeks later. Both those races were at six furlongs.

“We’ll just see if she can stretch out to a mile,” said Wilkes. “She’s not the biggest or most robust filly, she’s actually kind of petite, so I’m not sure she is the type who will stretch. But you never know until you try.”

Nessy finished second in Grade 3 stakes in his last two starts, beaten less than a length to close his 2017 campaign in the Sycamore at Keeneland and by a half-length to open the 2018 season here Jan. 27 in the W.L. McKnight.

“I thought he ran an unbelievable race here, considering they ran 1:16 and change for the opening six furlongs and he was still able to close to be second,” said Wilkes. “I’ve really seen a different horse from the latter part of last year and into this year, one who is finally developing into what we always thought he could be.”

Wilkes also reported that McCracken is scheduled to have his first official work since his third-place finish in the Grade 2 Fayette on Oct. 12 this week at Palm Meadows.

“He looks great,” said Wilkes. “He’s bigger and stronger than ever, and the five months really helped him. I have no set schedule for him, but he should get ready quick.”

Castellano brothers team up

Jockey Javier Castellano departed here before the end of Sunday’s program to catch a flight to California where he was scheduled to work top Kentucky Derby contender Bolt d’Oro on Monday morning at Santa Anita. But before he left, Castellano was more eager to talk about his victory aboard a bottom-level maiden claimer earlier in the day.

The horse in question was Nothins Free, who captured the afternoon’s third race, for maiden $12,500 claimers. The reason for Castellano’s enthusiasm was that Nothins Free is trained by his younger brother Abel, who saddled his sixth winner as a licensed trainer and first since hanging out his shingle here regularly earlier this month.

“This was very special for me,” the emotional Hall of Fame jockey said. “I’m proud that my brother is already having success as a trainer. He’s a very hard worker and learned a lot of things over the years, when he was riding, from lots of very good trainers. It was very special to be able to ride for him, and hopefully there will be many more winners for him.”

Abel Castellano, 34, won 1,849 races during his riding career before injuries, including a final concussion, forced him to hang up his tack in December 2015. He has four horses in training, three of them – including Nothins Free – for owner John Guarnere’s Imaginary Stable.

“I love this game, I grew up in this game,” said Abel Castellano, who saddled his first five winners at Delaware Park last year. “I’m hoping I can expand my stable. And I hope my brother can ride them all.”

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. continued his torrid pace Sunday, posting a four-bagger for the third time over a fourday period dating back to Thursday. Leading rider Luis Saez also reached a milestone on the same card, registering his 100th victory of the session aboard Indominus in the afternoon’s second race.

There will be a Rainbow 6 jackpot carryover of $1,778,601 going into Wednesday’s 10-race program at Gulfstream. The card is highlighted by a $51,000 entry-level optional-claiming dash at five furlongs on the turf for fillies and mares.