Merit Man, runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint, and Little Distorted, impressive winner of a maiden special weight, are among the six horses entered in the $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes, a six-furlong race for three-year-olds that will be held at Gulfstream Park on New Year's Day.
Trained by Robert Hess Jr., Merit Man began his career with a pair of victories, including a dominating triumph in the Tim Conway Stakes. Most recently, he finished second by a nose in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint, leading from the start before being caught in the final strides.
Little Distorted has only started once, breaking his maiden by 2 1/4 lengths at going six furlongs at Belmont Park. Interestingly, the runner-up that day, Revolutionary, broke his maiden on December 28th at Aqueduct by over eight lengths, further bolstering Little Distorted's credentials heading into this race.
Another major contender is Brave Dave, winner of the Sapling Stakes (gr. III) and two other stakes. Most recently second in the Inaugural Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, he has the speed to contend from the start and could be up to challenging the two favorites.
Rockyshomerun, winner of an allowance optional claiming race; Catfivehurricane, sixth in a one-mile allowance optional claiming race here at Gulfstream on December 8th; and City of Weston, who has one victory from ten starts, complete the lineup.
Post Positions:
1 Merit Man
2 Rockyshomerun
3 Cat Five Hurricane
4 Brave Dave
5 Little Distorted
6 City of Weston
-Keelerman
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