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Mucho Macho Man, Little Mike Turn in Breezes

Updated: Sunday, January 13, 2013 2:15 PM
Posted: Saturday, January 12, 2013 4:52 PM

Photo: Coglianese Photos

Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) runner-up Mucho Macho Man breezed five furlongs in :59.61 Jan. 12 at Gulfstream Park, his final pre-race move in preparation for the $400,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Classic in one week.

The move, fastest of 26 at the distance on the day, was completed under exercise rider Nick Petro Jr.

"He went good," trainer Kathy Ritvo said. "He's doing really well."

The 5-year-old son of Macho Uno defeated Ron the Greek by 1 1/2 lengths in last year's Classic, and is coming off a second-place finish in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic in which he finished a half-length behind Fort Larned Nov. 3 at Santa Anita Park.

"I can't describe the feeling," said Petro when asked how it feels to be aboard Reeves Thoroughbred Racing's long-striding multiple-stakes winner. "It's like riding a train."

Another horse on Gulfstream's main track Saturday morning was Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) and Arlington Million (gr. IT) winner Little Mike, who worked for the first time this year. The 6-year-old Spanish Steps gelding went an easy half mile in :50, getting ready for a trip to Dubai later this winter for owner/breeders Carlo and Priscilla Vaccarezza.

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