Irish War Cry Returns in Hal's Hope

Isabelle de Tomaso homebred Irish War Cry (Curlin), a prominent player on the Triple Crown trail last year, makes his return to the races Saturday at Gulfstream in the GIII Hal's Hope S. Decisive winner of last term's GII Holy Bull S., the New Jersey-bred captured the GII Wood Memorial S., but could only manage 10th in the GI Kentucky Derby. Rebounding with a runner-up effort in the GI Belmont S., the Graham Motion pupil finished off the board in the GI Haskell Invitational S. and GI Pennsylvania Derby when last seen Sept. 23.

Economic Model (Flatter) also makes his seasonal debut in this spot for Chad Brown. The GISP bay was last seen winning a one-mile optional claimer at Belmont Oct. 12. “TDN Rising Star” Malagacy (Shackleford), winner of last term's GII Rebel S., returned from a nine-month layoff with a runner-up effort in a six-furlong Hallandale optional claimer Jan. 18 and steps back into stakes company here. Malagacy's trainer Todd Pletcher saddles another intriguing contender in Send It In (Big Brown), last seen capturing the GIII Excelsior S. at Aqueduct Apr. 8.