Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Unbridled Stakes the next step for Americanus
When the Kentucky Derby was postponed from May 2 to Sept. 5 due to the coronavirus pandemic, it gave some trainers the luxury of taking their time to find out if they have a horse worthy of pointing to that race.
Trainer Mark Hennig decided to take advantage by not rushing Americanus into the Grade 1 Florida Derby last month and opting for a different path. Saturday, Americanus takes the path of least resistance on a possible road to the Derby when he runs in the $75,000 Unbridled Stakes for 3-year-olds at Gulf- stream Park.
The Unbridled, run at 1 1/16 miles, drew a field of seven, but is expected to scratch down to six as trainer Stanley Hough intends to run South Bend in next Saturday’s English Channel Stakes on turf. Hough will still be represented in the Unbridled by Necker Island.
In his second start this year, Americanus won a sevenfurlong allowance on Feb. 22 at Gulfstream. There were discussions between Hennig and owner Don Adam of taking a swing in the Florida Derby before the Kentucky Derby was postponed.
“Once they decided to postpone the Derby until September it kind of gave us a reality check to step back and do the right thing by the horse and let him come along at his own pace,” Hennig said.
Americanus, a son of War Front, has run well in three of four starts. The exception was the Grade 3 Nashua at Aqueduct, where he finished eighth of nine. Hennig said Americanus displaced his palate in that race and underwent a throat operation to resolve the issue.
“With the tongue tie and the [surgery] he’s been golden,” Hennig said. “We haven’t seen any signs of [displacing] after that day – or before that day – so hopefully we put that behind us right away.”
Hennig said the Unbridled will be a distance test of sorts for Americanus.
“He’s got the pedigree to stretch out, he’s got a stockier build to him, and he carries a lot of weight, so I think it remains to be seen, but he’s doing great,” Hennig said. “The horse is so cooperative with the rider, he waits and waits and does whatever the rider wants him to, so he’s got the right mind for it.”
Americanus will break from post 2 under Edgard Zayas.
Attachment Rate and Necker Island finished third and fifth, respectively, in the Grade 3 Gotham on March 7 at Aqueduct and are back in this spot. The two raced together in midpack until the quarter pole when Attachment Rate went on while Necker Island did not. Attachment Rate was beaten a head for second by Untitled while finishing two lengths behind Mischevious Alex. Attachment Rate had an issue with changing to his correct lead in the stretch.
“He’s just got to figure it out. We work with him every morning to try and get him better at it,” trainer Dale Romans said
Thursday morning. “It’s not a soundness issue, which most of the time it is with a lead change. I think he’ll do better this time.”
Hough said he was disappointed by Necker Island’s fifth place in the Gotham but has liked the way he has trained since returning to South Florida.
Trainer Todd Pletcher has liked Dr Post’s two breezes – both in company with Gouverneur Morris – since his 1 1/4-length maiden score on March 29 at Gulfstream for which he earned a field-best 96 Beyer Speed Figure.
“His two breezes since the race were even better than he was training prior to the race,” Pletcher said Thursday. “We’re hoping the four weeks is enough to have him come back and run the same kind of race as last time.”
Pletcher is looking forward to stretching out Dr Post around two turns.
“He was able to win going seven-eighths on natural ability, but I don’t think that’s what he really wants to do,” Pletcher said.
Irad Ortiz Jr. will ride Dr Post from post 3.
Soros and Relentless Dancer complete the field.
The Unbridled will go as race 9 on a card that begins shortly after 12:45 p.m.
Global Campaign returns
Global Campaign, winner of the Grade 3 Peter Pan last year at Belmont Park, makes his 4-year-old debut Saturday in a salty third-level optionalclaiming race at seven furlongs that goes as race 11.
The nine-horse field also includes the seasonal debuts of stakes performers Spinoff, Majestic Dunhill, and Borracho.
Global Campaign has not run since he finished third in the Jim Dandy Stakes last July 27 at Saratoga. Training toward the Travers, Global Campaign developed bone bruising and was sidelined.
Global Campaign’s 3-yearold season was plagued by foot issues, but trainer Stanley Hough said, “He’s over all that, the foot’s grown out good. I don’t think we have any excuses. I think he’s pretty much ready to run. Maybe I could have done more with him, but I think he’s fit enough to run and I think he’s a good horse.”