Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
More than Inside Information at stake for Curlin’s Approval
Not often is a Grade II race used as a “bridge” race, but that is exactly how the connections for Curlin’s Approval are treating Saturday’s $200,000 Inside Information Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
A winner of her last two, Curlin’s Approval proved to be more than capable of winning at distance in her most recent outing, a 6-length romp in the 1
Royal Delta on Feb. 18 at Gulfstream. It was the daughter of Curlin’s first two-turn race.
After the win, trainer Marty Wolfson stated he would like to keep the 4-year-old filly racing at distance. That plan is still in place, but with a twist.
With no two-turn stakes races for older fillies and mares left on the Gulfstream calendar, owner Happy Alter said the 7-furlong Inside Information fit two criteria important enough to justify dialing his homebred back to a sprint.
Curlin’s Approval is 5-for-7 lifetime at Gulfstream, with her last two victories coming in graded stakes company. Most importantly, Alter said the grand plan is to run her in the 1 La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs as part of the Kentucky Oaks undercard.
“The race we’re aiming for is 48 days from this race,” he said. “Usually she does well with her races every month or six weeks, so this race Saturday is [four weeks] from the Royal Delta. She’s shown in the past that kind of spacing is good for her.”
The early 3-5 favorite, Curlin’s Approval will again be piloted by Luis Saez. In the Royal Delta win, Saez put her near the early pace but he may not have that luxury Saturday.
Dearest, the second choice at 5-1, is likely to seek the lead as is Moment of Delight and Mia Torri. Like Curlin’s Approval, Dearest is coming off of a graded stakes win, but that came back in December in the Sugar Swirl. Dearest is also fond of Gulfstream, having scored four of her five career wins there.
Moment of Delight and Mia Torri are each coming off stakes victories at Gulfstream as well. Rounding out the Inside Information field are Distinta, Wheatfield, Summer Reading and Danessa Again.