Simplification back with Sano

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Simplification has returned to trainer Antonio Sano’s barn at Gulfstream Park after spending several weeks on the farm of owner Tami Bobo in Ocala following his sixth-place finish in the Preakness.

Simplification was a major player in the 3-year-old division throughout a relatively busy winter and spring campaign. He won the Mucho Macho Man and Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, was a slow-starting second in the Grade 3 Holy Bull, and finished third after contesting much of the pace in the Grade 1 Florida Derby. He turned in a big effort to be fourth, beaten just 3 1/2 lengths by Rich Strike, despite a wide trip in the Kentucky Derby.

Simplification was thus considered among the key contenders in the Preakness and rated in perfect striking position just behind the early leaders before faltering down the stretch under jockey John Velazquez, finishing a disappointing 7 1/2 lengths behind Early Voting. Shortly after the race Sano announced his horse had bled.

“Johnny [Velazquez] said he was running easily and then at the three-eighths pole he started to cough and he kind of eased up on him after that,” Sano said. “He had never bled before. For me, the way he was traveling up to that point, I think he could have won the race if that doesn’t happen.”

Sano said Simplification returned to his barn on Tuesday looking “very good” and that he plans to gallop him for at least two to three weeks before he starts breezing again. Sano emphasized he has no specific races picked out for Simplification’s return, although he did mention the West Virginia Derby or Travers as possible options later this summer if things went well.

Feature wide open

Sunday’s 12-race program will be highlighted by a mile and 70-yard allowance test over the Tapeta surface for older horses that drew a wide-open field of 10 that should pose a real head-scratcher for handicappers.

The pace scenario for the main event is a bit murky, for starters, with several of the key contenders lacking much if any experience on the synthetic track, including Public Information, who tries the surface for the first time.

Public Information, an allowance winner on grass earlier this year at Sam Houston for trainer Michael Maker, has already banked more than $32,000 this season, second highest in the field behind only Timmy M., who has earned nearly $43,000 from just four starts in 2022. Timmy M. is coming off a near miss when falling a head shy of defeating open $20,000 claiming competition over the Tapeta on May 6.

Like Public Information, Timmy M. does his best from behind and will likely need some help up front with the lightly raced Bailador projecting to be the early speed of the race. Bailador returned from a five-month hiatus to win his maiden over the Tapeta in his 2022 debut, posting a career-best 67 Beyer Speed Figure while racing with Lasix for the first time. He is one of a trio of 3-year-olds in the lineup along with the improving pair of Boitano and Euphoria Star.

Kitten’s Star, who has handled the synthetic strip well all winter, Sigrun’s Fast Boy, and Midway Mischief, who is returning to action for the first time in nine months, also demand consideration at their best.