D’Angelo Hoping for Success on Both Coasts This Week

Saddles Twirling Queen in Abundantia, Bentornato in Malibu (G1)

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Trainer Jose D’Angelo, who finds himself among the top dozen trainers in North America in wins this year, will spend the holiday week going coast-to-coast.

On Thursday, D’Angelo will saddle Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) runner-up and Grade 2 winner Bentornato against seven others including Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan in the $300,000 Malibu (G1) on Santa Anita’s opening day. He returns to his homebase at Gulfstream Park Saturday to saddle his undefeated turf star Twirling Queen in the $115,000 Abundantia.

“Exciting,” said D’Angelo of the week.

That’s also the word to describe Gu Racing Stable LLC’s Twirling Queen. Since getting the 3-year-old filly in his barn last winter, the daughter of Twirling Queen has won five of her six starts and is undefeated in three trips on the turf. D’Angelo is hoping to keep that streak alive in the five-furlong Abundantia.

Twirling Queen began her career with four consecutive races in the Midwest on main tracks before being sent to D’Angelo for last year’s Championship Meet.

“Since I got her, I knew she had talent because she won her first race at Churchill Downs, and that’s not easy at Churchill Downs,” D’Angelo said. “I tried to watch her train in the morning, and she went really good when we tried her on the turf.”

After winning her first two starts across the Tapeta surface at Gulfstream, including the Melody of Colors in March, Twirling Queen hit the road. She won the Mamzelle Stakes at Churchill May 11 and the Coronation Cup in July at Saratoga before finishing off-the-board in the Raven Run (G2) over the main track at Keeneland. She returned to the turf in November with a victory at Del Mar in the Senator Ken Maddy.

“We gave her a little rest after the Del Mar race,” D’Angelo said. “I’m not crazy about the post (12), but she’s doing well and we’re looking forward to the race.”

The 11 entered against Twilight Queen include Mrs. Gambolini, a winner of two of three starts for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. including her last on this turf course by 4 ¾ lengths, Inaboutago, a winner of three of four on the turf for trainer Wesley Ward, and Karaya, a winner here last time on Tapeta. Irad Ortiz Jr., is named to ride.

Saturday’s program also includes the $165,000 Mr. Prospector. The field of 12 includes 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner and 2022 Florida Derby (G1) winner White Abarrio, who will use the seven-furlong race as a prep for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Jan. 25.

Saturday’s first race post time is 12:20 ET.

Racing resumes at Gulfstream Thursday, Dec. 26 with a 10-race program including the $140,000 Rampart, featuring Grade 1 winners Soul of an Angel and Power Squeeze, and the $140,000 Via Borghese at 1 3/8th mile on the turf.

First race post is 12:20 ET.