Guns Loaded with more ammo in the Mucho Macho Man (Coglianese)
Fends off Treaty of Rome for Neck Victory on Road to G1 Florida Derby
David Joseph/Gulfstream Park
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Morplay Racing, Joey Platts and Lady Sheila Stable’s Guns Loaded, stepping up to stakes company off a mid-November maiden triumph, established the early lead and had enough left to turn back late-running longshot Treaty of Rome for a neck victory in Saturday’s $165,000 Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream Park.
The 14th running of the Mucho Macho Man for newly turned 3-year-olds going one mile co-headlined an 11-race program along with the $165,000 Ginger Brew for 3-year-old fillies scheduled for one mile on the grass.
Named for the Florida-bred earner of more than $5.6 million in lifetime purses that made Gulfstream-based trainer Kathy Ritvo the first woman to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in 2013, the Mucho Macho Man is the first step for sophomores on the road to the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) March 29.
Ridden by Luis Saez for trainer Jose D’Angelo, Guns Loaded ($4.60) completed the distance in 1:38.87 over a fast main track as the 6-5 favorite for his second straight win and the second consecutive Mucho Macho Man triumph for Saez following Otello in 2024. Saez also won with Mutasaabeq in 2021.
Guns Loaded sprang from the rail post and was alone up front after Macho Music, who was expected to challenge for the lead, broke poorly and found himself shuffled back early. Saez and Guns Loaded went the opening quarter-mile in 24.54 seconds and the half in 47.61 tracked by D’Angelo-trained stablemate McKellen with Treaty of Rome third and previously undefeated Septarian in the clear in fourth.
“The trip was perfect,” Saez said. “We were concerned about [Macho Music]. He have a lot of speed, but he missed the break and we ended up on the lead and we took it. He was traveling pretty great. Pretty comfortable. When we came to the top of the stretch, I was trying to save as much horse as I could.”
Six furlongs went in 1:12.75 with Guns Loaded still in command, straightening for home as McKellen began to drop back and Treaty of Rome was swung outside for his bid by jockey Dylan Davis. Guns Loaded clung to the lead as Treaty of Rome closed stoutly but ran out of time, finishing 3 ¾ lengths ahead of Septarian.
Macho Music, Cool Intentions, McKellen and Sonic Skidaddle completed the order of finish. Naughty Rascal and Rolando were scratched.
“I was pretty sure that he was going to be on the lead. I was just afraid that he would go too fast because it was his first time going the mile and from the number one [post] you have to ask a little bit from the gate, but everything worked perfect,” D’Angelo said. “I worked a little this week at the gate with him … because you have to go in before everybody, wait, and break sharp, and that’s what happened.”
Guns Loaded ran second in his late August unveiling at Saratoga before graduating by 2 ¾ lengths Nov. 16 at Churchill Downs. He tuned up for his sophomore opener with four breezes at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream’s satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.
“Today he looked green again,” D’Angelo said. “He ran the first time out in Saratoga and he tried to go inside, and he did the same today. I asked Luis about the gallop out and he said when he saw the other horse he got another gear. So that’s good, but we have to train him now going forward.”
D’Angelo said the $250,000 Holy Bull (G3) going 1 1/16 miles Feb. 1 at Gulfstream would be the next target for Guns Loaded.
“That’s the plan,” he said.
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