That’s Right wins the Turf Monster (G3) Sep. 24, 2023, at Parx (EQUI-PHOTO)
David Joseph/Gulfstream Park
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla.— James Shannon Jr.’s Grade 3 winner That’s Right, unraced in nearly seven months, is set to launch his comeback in the $125,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint, a five-furlong dash for 4-year-olds and up that headlines Saturday’s 12-race card.
That’s Right will be making his 5-year-old debut, racing first time as a gelding and since being moved to trainer Jena Antonucci after winning four of 15 starts and $328,200 in purse earnings for previous trainer Michael Moore.
“The owner has given us an opportunity with him, which we are very grateful for,” Antonucci said. “We’re hoping to reharness some of that old speed that he had. He seems to be coming together that way, so we’re excited to get him back to the races.”
By two-time Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner and multi-millionaire Goldencents, That’s Right has breezed seven times since mid-December for Antonucci at Gulfstream including a five-furlong move in 1:01.02 Jan. 19 from the gate. Most recently he had a three-furlong blowout in 35.91 seconds Feb. 4.
“He’s just one of those cool, straightforward kind of horses that really hasn’t taken a step wrong for us. He’s lovely to be around and lovely to train,” Antonucci said. “He almost left [exercise rider] Robert [Mallari] in the gate in his breeze from the gate, so you love to see that kind of speed sitting there. He just seems to have gotten himself back together with the time that the Shannons gave him. My job is to keep him happy and keep him well.”
That’s Right raced throughout the Mid-Atlantic since his August 2021 debut at Parx. He made six starts on dirt before being moved to the turf where he reeled off three consecutive wins including the 5 ½-furlong My Frenchman in July 2022 at Monmouth Park. Two races later, he was a front-running 1 ½-length winner of the five-furlong Turf Monster (G3).
Following that race, That’s Right was no better than fifth in four tries and went to the sidelines after finishing ninth in the 5 ½-furlong Wolf Hill last July 22 at Monmouth. Jorge Ruiz will ride from Post 3 in a field of seven.
All four of That’s Right’s wins have come in gate-to-wire fashion, and Antonucci expects no change in his running style against a group that includes 2022 Columbia winner Heaven Street; Panther Island, winner of the five-furlong Janus on the Gulfstream turf Dec. 31; 2023 Select winner Eamonn; and Carotari, who has earned half of his six stakes wins on the grass at Gulfstream.
“I would be shocked if he wasn’t sitting on the front end where he likes to be, but we’ll let the pilot do all those things,” Antonucci said. “He’s breezed very honestly. His breezes have been very straightforward on form and seeing those kinds of breezes for him coming together into this race was worth taking a swing. Hopefully they won’t be able to run him down.”
