2019 Holy Bull Study Guide

Feb 01, 2019 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A talented field of 10 sophomores will vie at Gulfstream Park on Saturday in the $350,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G2). The Road to the Kentucky Derby event is led by unbeaten Grade 2 winner Maximus Mischief, though the field is full of promising prospects.

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Here’s a look at the cast:

Garter and Tie Career Racing Stats

7 Starts
2 Wins
2 Place
2 Show
Total Career Earnings: $283,470

Top BRIS Speed rating (103) in Smooth Air Stakes win

Owner: Jacks or Better Farm Inc.
Breeder: Jacks or Better Farm Inc. (FL)
Trainer: Ralph Nicks
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Sire: Brooks n’ Down
Dam: Garter Belt
Color: Dark Bay

This Florida-bred colt draws well inside and comes into the race with a pair of stakes wins on the oval. The talented sophomore also finished second at the distance against stakes competition and was a respectable third in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes in advance of this one. The contender will never be far back while stalking the pace.

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Federal Case Career Racing Stats

2 Starts
2 Wins
0 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $64,200

Top BRIS Speed rating (94) in allowance victory

Owner: Robert and Lawana Low
Breeder: Kings Way Farm (KY)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Javier Castellano

Sire: Gemologist
Dam: Delilahjane
Color: Bay

The unbeaten prospect made good in his first race since being acquired for a hefty $650,000 in November. The Todd Pletcher trainee was game in a recent allowance coup and shows a pair of bullet morning drills since. The Kentucky-bred picks up Javier Castellano for his stakes debut.

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Epic Dreamer Career Racing Stats

3 Starts
1 Wins
1 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $56,250

Top BRIS Speed rating (93) in maiden debut

Owner: Epic Racing LLC
Breeder: J.D. Stuart et al’s (KY)
Trainer: Kelly Breen
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Sire: Orb
Dam: Dixie Crisp
Color: Dark Bay

The sophomore colt comes off of an even finish when sixth while favored in the recent Springboard Mile Stakes. The $185,000 two-year-old buy has shown a lot of improvement and figures to move forward here. The dark bay loses Javier Castellano but picks up Eclipse Award-winning pilot Irad Ortiz Jr.

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Everfast Career Racing Stats

6 Starts
1 Wins
0 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $42,685

Top BRIS Speed rating (85) in Iroquois Stakes fifth-place

Owner: Calumet Farm
Breeder: Extern Developments (KY)
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Chris Landeros

Sire: Take Charge Indy
Dam: Awesome Surprise
Color: Bay

The Kentucky-bred has been trounced in his trio of graded tries to date. The $47,000 yearling purchase was a distant fourth with allowance foes at Gulfstream Park most recently and he would be a big surprise in this strong field.

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Harvey Wallbanger Career Racing Stats

4 Starts
1 Wins
3 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $91,200

Top BRIS Speed rating (89) in debut maiden second-place finish

Owner: Harold Lerner LLC et al’s
Breeder: Tony Holmes and Dr. and Mrs. Walter Zent (KY)
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr.

Sire: Congrats
Dam: Adorabell
Color: Bay

This recent maiden hero has been a consistent performer to date and owns a trio of runs at 1 1/16 miles under his belt. The sophomore colt has trained swiftly on the surface and he will likely get a swift pace to aid his late run at a price.

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Mihos Career Racing Stats

3 Starts
2 Wins
0 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $108,800

Top BRIS Speed rating (100) in Mucho Macho Man Stakes win

Owner: Centennial Farms
Breeder: Wayne, Gray and Bryan Lyster (KY)
Trainer: James Jerkens
Jockey: John Velazquez

Sire: Cairo Prince
Dam: Feline Flatline
Color: Bay

This improving prospect ran down a clear one en route to a game win in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes here last out. The Kentucky-bred has moved forward with each lifetime outing and will have John Velazquez in the controls for the initial time. The bay is an obvious prime player in the field.

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Come on Gerry Career Racing Stats

2 Starts
1 Wins
0 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $24,325

Top BRIS Speed rating (95) in winning maiden race

Owner: Albaugh Family Stables LLC
Breeder: Anderson Farms Ont. Inc. (ON)
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Robby Albarado

Sire: Elusive Quality
Dam: Halo’s Verse
Color: Dark Bay

Lightly raced sort was a superb maiden winner in a second lifetime showing and could be any kind going forward. $335,000 yearling purchase led throughout in a strong local showing in preparation of his first try with winners. Interesting prospect will be in the mix early once again.

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Maximus Mischief Career Racing Stats

3 Starts
3 Wins
0 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $192,100

Top BRIS Speed rating (106) in Remsen Stakes (G2) score

Owner: Cash is King LLC and L C Racing
Breeder: Martha Jane Mulholland (KY)
Trainer: Robert Reid Jr.
Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Reina Maria
Color: Bay

This horse to beat has yet to be headed from a trio of stylish lifetime performances. The colt answered his distance test in the Remsen Stakes (G2) most recently and is training swiftly in advance of his three-year-old bow. The $340,000 juvenile purchase will team with Jose Ortiz for the first time.

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Gladiator King Career Racing Stats

8 Starts
3 Wins
1 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $93,800

Top BRIS Speed rating (96) in Inaugural Stakes victory

Owner: Thoroughbreds Training Center
Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY)
Trainer: Jamie Mejia
Jockey: Carlos Montalvo

Sire: Curlin
Dam: Golden Dawn
Color: Chestnut

This eight-race veteran brings speed to the fray but the form is lacking, evidenced by a pair of last-place finishes in succession. The all-or-nothing type will face early pressure in this one and he would be a shocker to finish in the top three. The three-year-old has been last in each of his two prior runs at Gulfstream Park.

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Going for Gold Career Racing Stats

2 Starts
0 Wins
2 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $16,800

Top BRIS Speed rating (87) in finishing second in maiden debut

Owner: Ron Paolucci Racing LLC
Breeder: Machmer Hall, Craig and Carrie Brogden (KY)
Trainer: Robert Hess Jr.
Jockey: Albin Jimenez

Sire: Atreides
Dam: Smart Indeed
Color: Dark Bay

The speedy maiden has missed by a head and a neck from a pair of career sprint races to date. The gelding adds blinkers on the barn change, though he hooks a fine field combined with drawing the widest post. The Kentucky-bred will be sent early to try and lead the field from the opening bell.