Curlin’s Approval eyeing BC

Curlin’s Approval could be headed back to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. Her connections are just starting to look for a suitable steppingstone to that race following her win in last Sunday’s $75,000 Sugarloaf Key Handicap at Gulfstream Park.

Curlin’s Approval was a 2 1/2-length winner, closing from last to cover six furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.08. It was her second win in her last three starts. She also won the $75,000 Ana T. on June 3 at Gulfstream. Trainer Happy Alter said the mare’s next move is now being discussed with George Isaacs, general manager of the Bridlewood Farm operation of John and Leslie Malone. Curlin’s Approval is owned by Alter and Bridlewood.

“There’s races coming up at Keeneland,” said Alter. “We’re looking all over the country, picking something that will be a challenge and the right timing between now and that race if we go on to the Breeders’ Cup. “One step at a time.” Curlin’s Approval, a multiple Grade 2 winner who has earned $653,725, ran 13th in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint after stumbling at the start of the Nov. 4 race at Del Mar. This year, the Breeders’ Cup will be held at Churchill Downs.

Curlin’s Approval, who has run some of her biggest races at the seven-eighths distance of the Filly and Mare Sprint, was making a rare start at six furlongs in the Sugarloaf Key Handicap.

“She had to go out wide and circle the field, so she was much the best,” Alter said. “She handled the field very nicely, and, also, the adjustment to three-quarters from her usual seven-eighths.

“She came out of the race bouncing.”

Alter is looking forward to what’s next with Curlin’s Approval, as well as a recent arrival at the barn. The mare’s half-brother by Morning Line has just come into him at Gulfstream.

“He’s a beautiful 2-year-old colt,” said Alter.

Another promising runner in the Alter barn is Tapit’s Princess, an unraced 2-year-old daughter of Tapit and the Grade 1-winning mare Lady of Fifty.

Import tops Jupiter Beach

High Hours, a Group 3 winner in his native Brazil, could be a slight favorite in the $75,000 Jupiter Beach on Sunday at Gulfstream. The Jupiter Beach is a five-furlong turf sprint for 3-year-olds and up who have not won a stakes in 2018.

High Hours won his Group 3 in 2015 at about five furlongs on turf. In his most recent start, he was third in the $92,000 Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint on June 30 at Gulfstream. Ralph Nicks trains the horse, who could get an ideal stalking trip.

Diddley, who has placed in three stakes, was second in the Bob Umphrey two starts ago and faces High Hours again on Sunday. They will face Starship Wildcat who comes off a win in an optional $25,000 claiming sprint at five furlongs on the grass July 5 at Gulfstream.

Sweetontheladies, who was third in the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt in his last start July 28 at Saratoga, is entered for the main track only Sunday.

Also on the card, Little Doo, a half-sister to Florida Derby winner Dialed In, debuts in the sixth race, a maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies. She is by Brethren.

Paolucci pair to Personal Ensign

She Takes Heart, who worked Friday at Gulfstream, is bound for the Grade 1, $700,000 Personal Ensign at Saratoga, said owner Ron Paolucci of Loooch Racing Stables. The race is Aug. 25.

Trained by Peter Walder, She Takes Heart was the runner-up in the $75,000 Added Elegance in her last start July 28 at Gulfstream. She breezed a half-mile in 48 seconds Friday. Paolucci said Eric Cancel has the mount in the Personal Ensign.

Paolucci also plans to run the Grade 1-placed Fuhriously Kissed in the Personal Ensign. Trained by Anthony Quartarolo, the mare was fourth to Elate in the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap in her last start July 14. Fuhriously Kissed was to be scratched from the $200,000 Lady Jacqueline on Aug. 18 at Thistledown in favor of a start at Saratoga.

“She’s already up there and training and it’s a Grade 1,” Paolucci said. “She was really compromised in the Delaware Handicap by the [lack of] pace.”

Jose Bracho has the mount on Fuhriously Kissed.