Howard Wolowitz wins the Franklin-Simpson (G1) Sep. 7 at Kentucky Downs (Courtney Snow/Past The Wire)
David Joseph/Gulfstream Park
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — Gold Square LLC’s Howard Wolowitz had to travel a long, long way before arriving in Saudi Arabia Wednesday, so an extra furlong and a half certainly isn’t going to faze the 4-year-old son of Munnings. In fact, Howard Wolowitz should appreciate the 6 ½-furlong distance of the $2 million Turf Sprint (G2) on the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) undercard Feb. 22 far more than he relished the five furlongs of the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at Del Mar.
“This is not a horse that needs five furlongs. He needs more – six furlongs, six and a half,” trainer Jose D’Angelo said. “The six and a half will be better for him. He’s won over six furlongs, so I think it is perfect for him.”
Howard Wolowitz won one of his first three starts before capturing the $2 million Franklin-Simpson (G1) Sept. 7 over 6 ½ furlongs on the turf at Kentucky Downs. He regressed while cutting back to five furlongs on turf in his next start, finishing a troubled ninth in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. He rebounded in dramatic fashion in the six-furlong Holiday Cheer Dec. 14 over Turfway Park’s all-weather surface, closing from 11th after a troubled start to win going away by 1 ½ lengths.
Howard Wolowitz breezed a half-mile in 46.95 seconds Monday at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream Park’s satellite training facility in Palm Beach County, prior to his journey to Saudi Arabia.
“I’m very confident in him. His last workout was his best workout before a race,” said D’Angelo, who is scheduled to depart for Saudi Arabia Friday night.
Emisael Jaramillo, who was aboard for the Holiday Cheer, has the mount.
