BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Third last time in the $102,000 Hutcheson, John Grossi Racing Corp.’s homebred Joey Muscles faces Florida-bred 3-year-olds under first level, allowance conditions Thursday as the 2-1 morning line favorite. Carded as the seventh race at Gulfstream Park and offering a purse of $43,000, the seven-furlong contest has attracted seven entries. 

Joey Muscles broke his maiden at Gulfstream in his second start last year then took on stakes company in his next four efforts. He was third in the $95,000 Proud Man at Gulfstream on Aug. 10 but finished out of the money in his next three races in the $201,000 Sapling at Monmouth Park and in the Grade 3 Futurity and $135,000 Atlantic City on the turf during the Belmont at Big A meet.

 

Trainer Jena Antonucci returned him to Florida this winter where he finished third behind winner Neoequos in a first level allowance for Florida-breds going six furlongs in the slop on Jan. 23. He then improved to finish second to Rookie Card under the same conditions going seven furlongs on Feb. 23. 

Joey Muscles has one win, one second and four thirds in nine starts for earnings of $77,325. He is by Khozan out of Smokin Red Hot, by Stormy Atlantic.

Jose Morelos gets the return mount and they have post two.

Thursday’s contest will see a rematch between Joey Muscles and Breeze Easy LLC and Robert Cotran’s Latch the Hatch, who is the second choice in the program at 5-2.

Latch the Hatch was second, a neck in front of Joey Muscles in the Jan. 23 allowance and third, a half-length behind his rival in the Feb. 23 contest.

Latch the Hatch has one win, a second and a third in five lifetime races and earnings of $65,360. He is by Pleasant Acres Stallions’ Curlin’s Honor out of Malibu Melody, by Malibu Moon and was bred in Florida by John B. Penn.

 

He was a $22,000 purchase by H.H. as agent at the 2023 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company October Yearling Sale where he was consigned by Sue Vacek.

Rajiv Maragh will ride Latch the Hatch for the first time and they have drawn post four.

Rounding out the field are Expect the Best with jockey Emisael Jaramillo, Mati Gol with Paco Lopez aboard, Edwin Gonzalez will ride Helicon, Roar of the Beast with Edgard Zayas in the saddle and Leonel Reyes takes the call on Gianluca Be Lucky.

Return to the April 23 issue of Wire to Wire