Tipsheet: 2022 Holy Bull Stakes
Simplification wins the Mucho Macho Man Stakes (Photo by Lauren King/Coglianese Photos)
February 3rd, 2022
An excellent field of nine sophomores will go 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream Park on Saturday in the $250,000 Holy Bull S. (G3). The top four finishers in the competitive event will receive qualifying points on a 10-4-2-1 basis in the 2022 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series.
Holy Bull Stakes Picks
- #4 Simplification
- #2 Mo Donegal
- #8 White Abarrio
- #9 Giant Game
Holy Bull Stakes Wagers
- $20 win and place #4 Simplification
- $5 exacta key box 4 with 2,8,9
- $2 trifecta key 4 with 2,8,9
Holy Bull Stakes Contenders
#1 GALT broke through with a sharp maiden tally on the surface last time out for Bill Mott. The son of Medaglia d’Oro, who is a full-brother to dual champion and future Hall-of-Famer Songbird, showed marked improvement with the removal of the blinkers last time and rates a top-three chance with another step in the right direction. Junior Alvarado has the assignment.
Mo Donegal (left) winning the Remsen S. (G2) at Aqueduct (Chelsea Durand/Coglianese Photos)
#2 MO DONEGAL capped his juvenile season with a resilient Remsen S. (G2) victory over a talented foe for Todd Pletcher. The Uncle Mo colt has run two big races in succession in advance of his local debut, and he has trained well in the interim. The stout late runner will have Irad Ortiz in the controls.
#3 ELOQUIST has been outrun in four of his five lifetime tries to date and looks like a longshot in the event. A win for the Nyquist colt would be a big surprise. Frankie Pennington comes in for the ride.
#4 SIMPLIFICATION romped in the recent Mucho Man S. on the oval and gets the nod right back. The Antonio Sano pupil has an obvious affinity for the oval, and I think that he will thrive in his 1 1/16-mile debut as the lone speed in the cast. Javier Castellano will pilot the wire-to-wire pick.
#5 CAJUN’S MAGIC possesses first or second-place results in each of his five lifetime performances to date for trainer Michael Yates. The gelded son of Cajun Breeze rises in class with open foes in this spot, but he loves the Gulfstream track and proved capable of going two turns last time out, so he could be a factor in his sophomore bow. Regular rider Jesus Rios retains the mount.
#6 TIZ THE BOMB is the wildcard in the field for conditioner Kenny McPeek. The $330,000 yearling purchase was a standout on the lawn as a juvenile, but he is something of an unknown while racing on the main strip against this type of competition. The ultra-talented Kentucky-bred will be rallying from off the pace beneath Brian Hernandez, Jr.
#7 SPIN WHEEL went last-to-first in his maiden conquer at Churchill Downs in November and lands in this spot for his three-year-old debut. The Rusty Arnold trainee shows seven solid morning moves in the Sunshine State in anticipation of his stakes bow, and he could make the frame if the pace backs up in the lane.
#8 WHITE ABARRIO has appeal coming off of a good third in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) in his two-year-old finale. The Saffie Joseph charge is two-for-two at Gulfstream Park, and he is working in fine fashion leading up to this engagement. Tyler Gaffalione riding adds to the appeal.
#9 GIANT GAME checked in a strong third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) in his most recent appearance for Dale Romans. The Giant’s Causeway colt gets a tricky post draw widest of all, but he obviously has a lot of ability, and the dark bay is an obvious one to watch in this race and throughout the season. Luis Saez inherits the mount atop the win contender.
