Hallandale Beach, FL (Sportsbooks) - Saturday's $500,000 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park is the first major stakes race for older horses this year. The 1 1/8 mile handicap has attracted nine thoroughbreds.
Four-time champion trainer Todd Pletcher has a pair entered in the event. Clark Handicap winner A. P. Arrow and Fairbanks give Pletcher an excellent chance to be in the winner's circle.
A. P. Arrow, owned by the Allen Paulson Living Trust, has drawn post five with Ramon Dominguez riding. Last year the six-year-old won the Clark at Churchill Downs after finishing third three times in the previous four starts.
In his career A. P. Arrow has won five of 21 races for a little more than $1 million. He was third in last year's Donn Handicap behind winner Invasor.
Starting from post six will be Fairbanks and jockey John Velazquez, Owned by Team Valor, the five-year-old was fifth in the Clark Handicap and registered second place finishes in 2007 in the Massachusetts and Suburban Handicaps.
Fairbanks has earned $380,718 in 12 lifetime starts with four victories. His only stakes win came in last year's Tokyo City Handicap at Santa Anita.
Brass Hat, 2006 Donn Handicap winner, returns for owner Fred Bradley and trainer Buff Bradley, the owner's son. Brass Hat will break from post eight with Willie Martinez once again in the saddle.
The seven-year-old gelding has won eight of 21 career starts for nearly $1.7 million. Last time out he was second to A. P. Arrow in the Clark and edged Fairbanks to win the MassCap.
"I'd like to say hes training well or better than two years ago," said Buff Bradley. "If anything, despite his age, he seems to be putting more into his works. He's working harder and he's in great shape, and he wants to do it. That's the main thing."
Completing the field for the Donn Handicap are Wood Be Willing, Spring At Last, Dr Googles Boogles, Daaher, Kiss the Kid and Einstein.
The supporting $150,000 Swale Stakes for three-year-olds has attracted a field of seven. The horse to beat in the 6 1/2 furlong race appears to be Silver Edition, runner-up in the Hutcheson Stakes.
Silver Edition had the lead late in the Hutcheson before losing by one length to Smooth Air. The colt is trained by D. Wayne Lukas and owned by Phillip Maloof and Thomas Van Meter. Silver Edition will be ridden by Cornelio Velasquez and start from post five.
Here is the complete field for the Swale Stakes in post position order: Mr. Foz, Eaton's Gift, Surrealdeal, St. Joe, Silver Edition, Wincat and Coal Play.
