Shade Tree Thoroughbreds homebred Three Rules (Gone Astray) will be given a short break before being pointed to Gulfstream Park's GI Kentucky Derby prep series, capped by the GI Florida Derby Apr. 1. The MSW colt returned to trainer Jose Pinchin's Florida base Wednesday after suffering his first defeat in six starts when sixth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Nov. 5.
“Everything went smooth,” Pinchin said. “He came out of the race 100% sound, which was the main thing. The trip was a good experience. He got to compete at the top level. The experience he got will help him so much.”
Pinchin added, “He ran good. He had a hard time. He had to van 29 hours to Louisville and then fly to California. He didn't [train] for five days and he was a little bit dull. He broke bad for the first time in his life, but it is what it is. You're running against the best of the best. They say this crop of 2-year-olds is the best in 10 years. The fractions were fast. He didn't disgrace himself. He had some Grade I winners behind him.”
Three Rules five victories, four of which were stakes, all came at Gulfstream Park. The Hallandale oval's sophomore stakes series includes the Mucho Macho Man S. Jan. 7, the GII Lambholm South Holy Bull S. Feb. 4, the GII Fountain of Youth S. Mar. 4 and the Florida Derby.
“He's going to be pointed for those races down here, the Holy Bull and the Florida Derby, if he's good enough. He'll go on that campaign,” Pinchin said. “He'll get 30 days off and then he'll go back in training. He will be competing against some of the same horses [as the Breeders' Cup] during the winter meet, but he'll be fine.”
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