Donn Handicap Top Contenders
by Bodog Racebook | Jan 31 2011
The $500,000 Gr. 1 Donn Handicap will be run at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, Feb. 5. This 1 1/8 mile race is for 4-year-olds and up and has attracted top contenders Square Eddie, Eldaafer and Fly Down.
Square Eddie was a highly regarded 3-year-old during the 2009 horse racing season, but injury forced him into an early retirement. More than a year later, the 5-year-old son of Smart Strike is back on the race track and looking as sharp as he was as a 3-year-old. His 2011 debut was a record-breaking romp in an allowance race at Santa Anita Park on Jan. 14 and trainer Doug O'Neill is confident enough in his charge to take on grade 1 competition for his first real test. Square Eddie posted a 6-furlong workout at Santa Anita Park on Jan. 29 in 1:14.20. He is 3-3-2 from 13 starts with $854,766 in career earnings.
2010 Breeders' Cup Marathon champion Eldaafer will be cutting back in distance for the Donn Handicap as he looks to extend his winning streak to three. The 6-year-old gelding, trained by Diane Alvarado for Alghuwayriyah Stable, also captured the Gr. 3 Turfway Fall Championship at Turfway Park on Sept. 11. A son of A.P. Indy, Eldaafer turned in a 4-furlong breeze at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 30 in 48.65 and will be looking to build on his record of 24-9-0-5 and $678,132 in earnings. He has never won at this distance – or track – before, and will need a perfect trip to finish on the board.
The hard-luck Fly Down will be looking to finally break into the winner's circle with a big performance on Saturday. Nick Zito's 4-year-old son of Mineshaft was third behind 2010 champion older horse Blame and 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 6; he was also third in the Gr. 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park on Oct. 2. He has been in training at Palm Meadows Training Centre, posting a 5-furlong breeze in 1:00.90 on Jan. 29. Fly Down has earned $1,167,070 from 10 career starts and has a record of 3-2-3.
Others expected for the Donn Handicap include Chris Block's Giant Oak, Zito's Morning Line and Todd Pletcher's Rule.
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