Action Andy Vs. Indiano in Mr. Prospector

Several differences come into play for the rematch, including the fact that Action Andy will be the one shipping for the race from Tampa while Indiano makes a short shuttle from Calder Casino & Race Course.

 

Trainer Carlos Garcia shipped Action Andy to Gulfstream earlier this year when he finished a dull sixth in the March 31 Sir Shackleton. But the Maryland-bred Gators n Bears gelding is now on a three-race win streak, and will bid for a fourth straight stakes score after taking the Maryland Million Sprint and $350,000 Frank J. DeFrancis Memorial in October at Laurel Park.

 

"This year we shipped in the day before (the Sir Shackleton) and he didn't run very well," Garcia said. "For this trip we'll come three days out to give him a chance to settle in."

 

Jockey John Velazquez picks up the mount on Action Andy, who carries high weight of 120 pounds from post 4.

 

Jockey Luis Saez rides Indiano for trainer Marty Wolfson in start number two following a four-month layoff, the colt's second extended absence from the races this year. 

 

"The last layoff was because of a bad lung infection that took a lot of time to get over," Wolfson explained. "I think he ran a very good race in Tampa considering I only had time to work him four times before that race."

 

A Kentucky-bred by Indian Charlie who took the 6 1/2-furlong Giant Ryan Stakes at Calder back in August by 5 1/2 lengths, Indiano is highly consistent when he is in action with a record of 16-9-4-2. He came to Wolfson early in 2011 after winning his first five starts in Panama. He finished second twice over the Gulfstream track, including the Swale Stakes (gr. II) behind Travelin Man. Next out he posted the only off the board finish of his career when fifth attempting a mile in the Derby Trial (gr. III) in late April at Churchill Downs.

 

Indiano came back with impressive scores in the Unbridled Stakes, Carry Back Stakes (gr. II) and Eillo Stakes in the summer of 2011 at Calder. After finishing third in the $250,000 Gallant Bob Stakes at Parx Racing in late September, he ran a big race to finish third, beaten a half-length for it all by Apriority, in the Mr. Prospector at Gulfstream last December prior to six months on the sidelines.

 

"He just needed a break after a hard campaign," Wolfson said.

 

An intriguing contender in the field is Ken and Sarah Ramsey's 4-year-old Bull Dozer, claimed for $62,500 when winning his last start over the track and distance by two lengths Dec. 7. The Trippi gelding had finished a good third in the Nov. 10 Jack Dudley Sprint at Calder and won his three previous races in starter/allowance events there. Jockey Javier Castellano gets the call for trainer Mike Maker.

 

Richard Malouf and trainer Edwin Broome's 5-year-old Partyallnightlong is entered to make his first start since winning the May 5 Dan Horn Stakes going five furlongs on turf at the Meadowlands. That race was his first since late July of 2011 when he finished fifth behind Force Freeze in the Teddy Drone Stakes at Monmouth Park.

 

Shivananda Racing's 4-year-old gelding Off the Jak ran a respectable second last out behind Bernie the Maestro in the $100,000 Rapid Transit Claiming Crown Stakes over the track on opening day at Gulfstream Dec. 1. The son of With Distinction has been a quick pacesetter in most of his races for trainer Shivananda Parbhoo.

 

Frank Calabrese's 3-year-old Dreaming of Neno appears the outsider in the field after only three career starts, but has won twice. The Exclusive Quality colt broke his maiden first out at Gulfstream in January before a dull seventh behind Politicallycorrect in a February allowance, then didn't run again for trainer Luis Ramirez until posting a three-length allowance score at Calder Nov. 11.