King Guillermo is expected to return to graded-stakes company this weekend in the Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale at Gulfstream.
The 4-year-old colt gained attention last year after winning the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) and finishing second in the Arkansas Derby (G1). But he has not finished in the money since and took a break after an eighth-place finish in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) in March. He returned to finish fourth in a Gulfstream handicap in October.
The Fort Lauderdale would be King Guillermo's first start on turf since his third-place finish in the Pulpit at Gulfstream in 2019.
The Fort Lauderdale is one of five graded-stakes races on the North America calendar this weekend – all at Gulfstream on Saturday. Also on tap is the Springboard Mile at Remington Park on Friday, with 10-4-2-1 qualifying points available for the Kentucky Derby.
Here is an early look at the likely fields.
Springboard Mile (listed), Remington Park, 1 mile, 2-year-olds
As noted above, this race offers Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top four finishers – but only those in the top four who run without Lasix. Make It Big, whose 2-for-2 record includes a last-out win in a Florida-bred stakes, is the likely favorite and will run without Lasix. One starter who will use Lasix is Steve Asmussen's Classic Moment, who broke his maiden on second try last out at Churchill Downs.
2021 Remington Springboard Mile (LS)
Fort Lauderdale (G2), Gulfstream Park, 1 1/8 miles (turf), 3-year-olds and up
Sole Volante won four of his first six races, finishing second and third in the other two. In eight starts since, he has finished no better than fourth. In his last start, he finished sixth in the Sycamore (G3) on Oct. 22 at Keeneland. Breaking the Rules took a break after finishing ninth in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1), returning with an allowance win at Saratoga in August. He then was sixth in the Knickerbocker (G3) and seventh in the listed Artie Schiller last out.
2021 Fort Lauderdale (G2)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sole Volante Karakontie | P. Biancone |
| Probable | ||||
| Breaking the Rules War Front | C. McGaughey III |
| Probable | ||||
| King Guillermo Uncle Mo | J. Avila |
| Probable | ||||
| English Bee English Channel | H. Motion |
| Probable | ||||
| Atone Into Mischief | M. Maker |
| Probable | ||||
| Doswell Giant's Causeway | B. Tagg |
| Probable | ||||
| Space Traveller Bated Breath | B. Walsh |
| Probable | ||||
| L'Imperator Holy Roman Emperor | C. Brown |
| Probable |
Rampart (G3), Gulfstream Park, 1 mile, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Allworthy's eighth-place finish in the Cotillion (G1) last out was the first time in seven starts that she failed to make the board. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., a part-owner of Allworthy, also is expected to enter Queen Nekia, whose last win came in the Royal Delta (G3) at this track in February. Dance d'Oro won an allowance race here by 9 1/4 lengths in September before finishing third in a handicap on Nov. 21.
2021 Rampart (G3)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allworthy Tonalist | S. Joseph, |
| Probable | ||||
| Dance d'Oro Medaglia d'Oro | R. Nicks |
| Probable | ||||
| Dream Marie Graydar | M. Williams |
| Probable | ||||
| Helping Lisa D Flat Out | S. Dwoskin |
| Probable | ||||
| Queen Nekia Harlington | S. Joseph, |
| Probable | ||||
| Crumb Bun Afleet Alex | J. Delgado |
| Probable | ||||
| Don't Get Khozy Khozan | A. Sano |
| Probable |
Sugar Swirl (G3), Gulfstream Park, 6 furlongs, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Frank's Rockette has compiled a 7: 2-1-3 record this year, finishing third last out in the listed Dream Supreme at Churchill Downs last month. Center Aisle made her first start of the year in October and has two allowance races.
2021 Sugar Swirl (G3)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank's Rockette Into Mischief | W. Mott |
| Probable | ||||
| Center Aisle Into Mischief | P. Lobo |
| Probable | ||||
| Bronx Beauty Liaison | A. Margotta |
| Probable | ||||
| Quinoa Tifah Gemologist | C. David |
| Probable | ||||
| Compensate Liam's Map | C. Gambolati |
| Probable | ||||
| Loriloupies Rattlesnake Bridge | S. Joseph, |
| Probable | ||||
| Music City Star Tapiture | C. Davis |
| Probable |
Suwannee River (G3). Gulfstream Park, 1 mile (turf), fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Alms will be making her third start since coming off a 15-month layoff in October. In her last start, she was beaten by a neck in the black-type Joseph R. Peluso Memorial at Fair Grounds. In a hurry has a 7: 1-2-2 record this year and finished fourth in the Nobel Damsel last out behind Shifty She, who also is expected here.
2021 Suwannee River (G3)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alms City Zip | M. Stidham |
| Probable | ||||
| In a Hurry Blame | C. McGaughey III |
| Probable | ||||
| Sweet Melania American Pharoah | T. Pletcher |
| Probable | ||||
| Kelsey's Cross Anthony's Cross | P. Biancone |
| Probable | ||||
| Dawn's Dancer Curlin | C. Davis |
| Probable | ||||
| Princess Causeway Giant's Causeway | I. Wilkes |
| Probable | ||||
| Classic Lady Jimmy Creed | C. Clement |
| Probable | ||||
| Keeper of Time Mehmas | B. Walsh |
| Probable | ||||
| Shifty She Gone Astray | S. Joseph, |
| Probable | ||||
| Summering War Front | T. Proctor |
| Probable |
Harlan’s Holiday (G3), Gulfstream Park, 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-olds and up
Mighty Heart has a 7: 3-2-1 record for the year and is coming off a win in the Autumn Stakes (G2) at Woodbine. Fearless came off a six-month layoff to finish second in a Gulfstream handicap last out. He has a record of 4: 1-2-1 this year.
2021 Harlan's Holiday (G3)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Heart Dramedy | J. Carroll |
| Probable | ||||
| Fearless Ghostzapper | T. Pletcher |
| Probable | ||||
| Eye of a Jedi Eye of the Leopard | S. Budhoo |
| Probable | ||||
| Twenty Twice Honor Code | J. Sisterson |
| Probable |
