South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Mutasaabeq looks at home on the dirt in Mucho Macho Man win
HALLANDALE BEACH — Spell check better get used to the name Mutasaabeq. It’s likely to be prominent in major races this winter and spring leading up to the Triple Crown.
Todd Pletcher entered Mutasaabeq in Saturday’s Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream to get a gauge on whether his immediate future should be in turfs takes or in dirt races on the Triple Crown trail. Mut as aabeq had solid wins on both surfaces in his brief career.
The son of Into Mischief, sire of last year’s Kentucky Derby winner Authentic, made it an easy call with a decisive victory over eight rivals. Luis Saez rated him just off pace-setting Awesome Gerry down the backstretch and through the single turn of the 1-mile race. Saez had a slight moment of doubt going through the turn as the even-money favorite wasn’t giving his all.
“At the three-eighths pole I thought we were done. But I put him back into the bridle and he came back. When I pushed him, he gave me that kick.”
Longshot Papetu made what seemed to be a menacing run on the turn, overtaking Awesome Gerry, but he was unable to make a serious dent into the lead of Mustasaabeq, who cruised under the wire a length and a half ahead in 1:35.96. Awesome Gerry held on for third.
Pletcher said he has been pointing for a return to the dirt in the Mucho Macho Man since Mutasaabeq ran a disappointing 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in November. His main concern going into the race was that Mutassabeq get away from the gate cleanly, something he has not always done. Saez was aware of this, too. “He tends to break a bit slow, so today we tried to warm him up good.” The tactics paid off. “He broke sharp and we were right there.”
There was some crowding early but second choice Pickin’ Time took the worst of it. Joe Bravo tried to make up for the early trouble, urging his mount quickly up the rail to within a few lengths of the leaders but the extra effort took a toll and he wasn’t able to sustain his run.
Pletcher, who also sent out the winner of the Ginger Brew, Con Lima, said he would consider the Jan. 30 Holy Bull, the second of Gulfstream’s Derby preps, for Mutasaabeq’s next start. Last year’s Holy Bull winner, Tiz the Law, went on to take the Florida Derby and Belmont Stakes, which because of the pandemic was moved into the Triple Crown leadoff spot traditionally occupied by the Kentucky Derby.
In supporting stakes, Kentucky Pharoah, a son of American Pharoah, raced wire-to-wire on the turf to take the Dania Beach. Competitive Speed stepped up from the claiming ranks to win her third straight in the Glitter Woman. Drain the Clock stalked fast fractions, took over at the top of the stretch and drew away to make the Limehouse his third win in four starts. Con Lima took command almost immediately and was never headed in the Ginger Brew.