Holy Bull (G3) winner DIALED IN (Mineshaft) will make his first start around two turns in a 1 1/8-mile allowance/optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park Sunday. A top contender for this year's Kentucky Derby (G1), the Nick Zito-trained colt heads a field of five, including three older horses, in the non-winners of "two other than" event.
Two-for-two in his career, Dialed In impressively broke his maiden going 6 1/2 furlongs at Churchill Downs on November 12. He was slated to make his 2011 debut in a 1 1/8-mile allowance on January 21, but was scratched due to the sloppy track. Zito opted instead for the January 30 Holy Bull at a one-turn mile, and the Robert LaPenta colorbearer blew past his rivals in the stretch, posting a 1 1/2-length decision.
Zito felt that it would be too much to ask the talented late runner to come back just four weeks later in last Saturday's $400,000 Fountain of Youth S. (G2) at 1 1/8 miles. In order to help insure that Sunday's race would be carded, Zito also entered the four-year-old EQUESTRIO (Elusive Quality), an allowance winner earlier in the Gulfstream meet.
Regular rider Julien Leparouz has the mount.
Dialed In's most accomplished rival is stakes winner WILLIAM'S KITTEN (Kitten's Joy), who finished second to Super Saver in the 2009 Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) and third in the 2010 Holy Bull. The Mike Maker trainee was sidelined 12 months following the Holy Bull and will look to improve upon a recent seventh versus allowance rivals.
REPRIZED HALO (Halo's Image), the trailer in the February 12 Sam F. Davis S. (G3), and recent Tampa Bay Downs allowance/optional claiming winner VALERIUS (Aldebaran) round out the field.