Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin reported Mohaymen (Tapit) was doing “great” a day after his impressive victory in Saturday's GII Lambholm Holy Bull S. The Shadwell runner improved his record to four-for-four with his 3 1/2-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile race at Gulfstream Park.
“He came out of the race great,” McLaughlin said. “He ate up last night and looks excellent this morning. For now, we're pointing for the [Feb. 27 GII] Fountain of Youth. I haven't confirmed that with [Shadwell U.S. racing manager] Rick Nichols yet or Sheikh Hamdan, but I think that's the plan.”
Nichols was one of many impressed with Mohaymen's effort in the Holy Bull, the colt's first start since winning the GII Remsen S. last November.
“He's just really good,” Nichols said. “We know he's been good, but this really proves that he's that kind of horse. He beat a Grade I winner [runner-up Greenpointcrusader] and it looked to me like he was doing it pretty easy. He had his ears pricked. He was happy. Our original plan was, if he liked the track and ran well we'd leave him here, maybe the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby. We'll see how he comes out and what the boss thinks.”
McLaughlin did admit to having some anxious moments after Mohaymen's slow start Saturday.
“I was nervous after he didn't break sharp because it didn't look like there was much pace in the race,” McLaughlin said. “I thought we might break well and just be on the lead and stay out of trouble. That didn't happen, but obviously Junior [Alvarado] was fine and he had plenty of horse and plenty of confidence and just let him move up between those two going down the backside and took the lead. You can't ever expect to see a performance like that, but that's the kind of effort at 1-5 that you like to see. Johnny [Velazquez] was on a nice colt [in Greenpointcrusader] and he was closer than normal, but he ran huge and the way he finished was very impressive. He's just a special, special colt.”
Trainer John Servis reported Cash is King's Cathryn Sophia (Street Boss) exited her win in Saturday's GII Forward Gal S. in good shape. Now a perfect three-for-three, the 'TDN Rising Star' will now be aimed at the Feb. 27 GII Davona Dale S.
“I got to watch the replay a couple times and I was very impressed,” Servis said. “I thought the race [Saturday] was more impressive than the first two,” Servis said.
He added, “That was only her third race, so you would sure think there is room for improvement.”
Stanley Gold said plans were undecided for GIII Swale S. winner Awesome Banner (Awesome of Course), but the trainer didn't rule out a tilt at the Fountain of Youth.
Of the added distance of that 1 1/16-mile race, Gold said, “I'm confident [he can get the distance]. The question is when are we going to go two turns and where are we going to run next. Two turns won't be a problem, but that doesn't necessarily mean you're going to win. He'll run two turns, because he's not going to run off with crazy speed.”
Gold and owner Jacks or Better Farm were also represented Saturday at Gulfstream by Holy Bull third-place finisher Fellowship (Awesome of Course), but the trainer said it was too early to start dreaming about the GI Kentucky Derby.
“I don't have Derby Fever at all. It'd be crazy to think about May in February,” said Gold.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
