Hutcheson Stakes Entries and Post Positions

Here are the entries and post positions for the $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes (gr. II), to be run on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Hutcheson Stakes (gr. II)
Seven Furlongs on the Gulfstream Dirt Track

1. Tarpy's Goal
2. Wildcat Creek
3. Thunder Moccasin
4. Quick Wit
5. Il Villano
6. Ever So Lucky

Ever So Lucky, a son of Indian Charlie trained by John Sheppard, is making his first start since finishing second to the highly-regarded Gemologist in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II) last fall at Churchill Downs. Whether or not he is going to run remains in question, but if he does start, he will most likely be sent off as the favorite.

Il Villano won a trio of six-furlong races at Parx Racing as a juvenile, including a pair of stakes events, before finishing a good third to Alpha in the Count Fleet Stakes going a mile and seventy yards at Aqueduct. The turn back in distance to seven furlongs should help his chances here on Saturday.

Tarpy's Goal broke his maiden first time out for trainer Dale Romans, then lost his next five starts before returning to the winner's circle on January 21st going seven furlongs at Gulfstream, identical conditions to the Hutcheson. Expect him to be right in contention early.

Wildcat Creek has only a single victory to his credit from six starts, but has finished second in a pair of sprint stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, including the seven-furlong Pasco Stakes in which he was beaten only a half-length by the well-regarded Prospective, who has since returned to finish second in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III).

Quick Wit, from the barn of Dale Romans, and Thunder Moccasin, trained by Todd Pletcher, step into stakes company off of impressive maiden victories. The latter broke his maiden over his stablemate Ender Knievel, who has since returned to break his own maiden by 7 3/4 lengths.

It appears as though this race is going to be a good one, with any one of the runners talented enough to take home the top prize.

-Keelerman