Race Recaps Mutasaabeq Motors Home in Mucho Macho Man January 2, 2021 Credit: Coglianese Photos / Lauren King Race Recaps Mutasaabeq Motors Home in Mucho Macho Man January 2, 2021 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Shadwell Stable’s Mutasaabeq motored home to win Saturday’s $100,000 Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream Park. ( Content Continues Below Ad ) Mutasaabeq bobbled a bit as he broke from post 5 under Luis Saez as the even-money favorite and barely escaped a crowded tussle that affected nearly every horse to his outside. Settling comfortably while stalking wide and in the clear, Mutasaabeq watched Awesome Gerry post opening fractions of :23.70 and :46.15 down the backstretch. Saez began working hard on Mutasaabeq in the far turn and encouraged the Todd Pletcher trainee to advance, which he did so willingly. Taking the lead near the 1/4 pole, Mutasaabeq straightened for home on the lead and had enough left to hold off a rallying Papetu to win the one-turn fast dirt mile by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:35.96. Credit: Coglianese Photos / Ryan Thompson “He tends to break a bit slow, so today, we tried to warm him up good,” Saez said. “When he broke, he broke sharp and we were right there. At the 3/8 (pole), I thought we were done, but I put him on the bridle again and he came back. He ran big. I never give up, I always ride till the end. When I pushed him, he gave me that kick. It was a good race.” Papetu was 1 1/4 lengths clear of Awesome Gerry, while Pickin’ Time finished a better-than-it-looked fourth after suffering the worst of the crowding at the start. Ultimate Badger, Big Thorn, Raison d’Air, Easy Time, and Kiger completed the order of finish. Jirafales was scratched from the race restricted to 3-year-olds. Mutasaabeq’s win was his second at the stakes level following the Bourbon (G2) on Keeneland’s turf in October and featured a return to form after finishing 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1). The 3-year-old Into Mischief colt improved his record to 5-3-0-1 with $259,120 earned. “We’ll look to try another one on dirt,” Pletcher said regarding the next start. “I’ll talk to the team at Shadwell and come up with a plan. I think today he showed his versatility. He’s now a stakes winner on both surfaces. It’s exciting to have one like that.” Mutasaabeq returned $4.20 to win, $3.20 to place, and $2.60 to show. Papetu brought back $14.40 to place and $8 to show, while Awesome Gerry paid $3.60 to show.
Kentucky Derby 2025 Prep Picks: Florida Derby & Arkansas Derby | Blinkers Off 712 The Racing Dudes preview the two major 2025 Kentucky Derby… Read More
Florida Derby, Arkansas Derby, and Sweet 16 PICKS | Dudes Who Bet Sports 232 Aaron and Papa Dude give their picks for the Arkansas… Read More
Louisiana Derby 2025 Preview and Saturday Rapid-Fire Picks | Blinkers Off 711 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for the $1… Read More
Fair Grounds Preview & FREE Pick 5 Bets | The Magic Mike Show 584 The Magic Mike Show guys preview Fair Grounds Race Course… Read More
March Madness BRACKET Reaction & PICKS | Dudes Who Bet Sports 231 Aaron and Papa Dude react to the NCAA men’s basketball… Read More
Get Blue Grass Stakes, Wood Memorial & Santa Anita Derby Picks in Betting Bible Get the 2025 Blue Grass Stakes Betting Bible, featuring the EXACT race-by-race wagering… Read More
Wood Memorial Picks and Preview 2025 | Kentucky Derby Prep Race Aaron previews the 2025 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct & gives… Read More
Kentucky Derby 2025 Latest News & Top 5 | Major Contenders Rising to the Top Aaron recaps all the action from last weekend, including the… Read More
Florida Derby Picks and Preview 2025 | Kentucky Derby Prep Race Aaron previews the 2025 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park &… Read More
Arkansas Derby Picks and Preview 2025 | Kentucky Derby Prep Race Aaron previews the 2025 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park &… Read More