Picture: Candice Chavez/Eclipse Sportswire
Homebreeding Saturday marks the tip of winter break goss jar When the 2025 Preakness runner-up made his 4-year-old debut at Gulfstream Park.
Skilled by the Rev. Brendan Walsh of Harvey Clark Racing Stables, Gosger was this system’s favourite with a 6-5 report over 5 rivals within the second-level choice declare, which runs 1 1/16 miles on the principle observe.
“It is a great place. He is been right here all winter and achieved job. The intention was all the time to get him working now and hopefully get him prepared for subsequent yr,” Walsh mentioned. “He is doing properly. We have had him out for some time, however we have got him again to work. He is truly been doing a extremely good job, so we’re wanting ahead to Saturday with him.”
Gosger will open the season at Gulfstream for the third consecutive yr on Saturday. He completed second in a two-year-old solo begin, six furlongs, maiden particular weight in December 2024, and gained by a size and a half over a mile on the identical location in February final yr, each races happening throughout championships.
“I hope he provides account of himself,” Walsh mentioned. “Clearly, he is run twice at Gulfstream and he is run very properly on the observe. We needn’t transport him wherever. We simply desire a good run. Hopefully he has run and offers us one thing to construct on going ahead.”
Gosger, named after former main league participant Jim Gosger, has winded eight instances since late January at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream’s satellite tv for pc coaching facility in Palm Seashore County, together with one on the grass course. Saturday can be his first race in 114 days since he completed sixth within the Clark Stakes (G2) on Nov. 28, behind three different winners: Millionaire Magnitude, Hit Present and Lat’n Roll.
“We have all the time appreciated him and we hope he is an excellent previous horse this yr,” mentioned coach Walsh. “He simply had a little bit of a dip final yr at Clark, I feel it was coming to the tip of a protracted yr greater than something, however he did properly right here.
“He appears to be like nice. You will see on Saturday, he appears to be like nice. I feel he is actually blossomed within the final month,” he added. “His previous couple of productions have been actually good and he appears to have gotten his enthusiasm again into issues. If he reveals that on Saturday, we’ll have yr with him.”
Gosgar began seven instances as a 3-year-old and completed third or higher 5 instances, together with a win at Lexington (G3) and a second place within the Preakness & Haskell (G1), however he misplaced to Journalism by half a size every time. Main as much as the ultimate race of the season at Clark Race Course, he completed sixth within the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) and was the third favourite within the Fayette Race Course (G3).
“Though he misplaced, he had an excellent yr, particularly in two races. The Preakness was clearly shut and Haskell was shut as properly,” Walsh mentioned. “It was an enormous thrill to be as aggressive as we have been in a race like that. It is a disgrace he did not win both, however he did not remorse it. He gave it his all on the observe each instances. That was an enormous thrill. It is nice to be part of that Triple Crown race.”
Walsh hasn’t made any long-term plans but, however he has excessive hopes for Gosgar in 2026.
“We’re simply going to take it because it comes. We’ll hope he is proper there with their greatest guys and might compete on the highest degree,” Walsh mentioned. “I’ve to say the final month has actually given me hope for this horse. He is been working actually laborious and I am glad we backed off and gave him an opportunity. He had a protracted yr final yr, however he was constant all the best way as much as the final race. I hope the refreshment may have a constructive impact on him. We’ll see efficiency from him on Saturday.”
Among the many horses that can face Gossier are Excite, who completed third within the 2025 St. Louis Derby, and Solid Metal, who was guess on each grass and filth at Gulfstream. The race is carded seventh in a 12-race program and can be headlined by the $125,000 Texas Glitter for 3-year-old horses scheduled to dash 5 furlongs on turf.
