Mattingly Gets More Ground in Saturday’s Carotari Handicap

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Just a half-furlong can go a long, long way in Mattingly finding the Gulfstream Park winner’s circle Saturday.

Ironhorse Racing Stable LLC and Harlow Stables LLC’s tough-as-nails 5-year-old gelding has been installed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite for the $60,000 Carotari, a 5 1/2-furlong overnight handicap for 3-year-olds and up on Tapeta. Mattingly has won three of his four starts on Gulfstream’s all-weather surface and has a win and a second in his two races at 5 1/2 furlongs.

The Florida-bred son of Bucchero most recently ran out of ground while finishing a late-closing third in a five-furlong overnight handicap on turf after just getting up in time to score a narrow victory in the five-furlong Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint that was transferred to Tapeta.

“He runs turf and Tapeta equally as well. I’m more happy about the 5 1/2 [furlongs],” trainer Joe Orseno said. “I’m good with what we’re doing this weekend because I think it suits him a little better.

Diego Herrera will ride Mattingly for the first time in the Carotari, which will be featured on Saturday’s 11-race program along with the $75,000 Juvenile Fillies, a six-furlong stakes for 2-year-old fillies on the main track.

Mattingly will carry 122 pounds while in receipt of one pound from highweight Poulin in O T, a Woodbine invader who has won seven of his 17 career starts on Tapeta. Owned and trained by Steve Owens, the 6-year-old Reload gelding won a 5 1/2-furlong optional claimer on Gulfstream’s Tapeta course in March.

Micah Husbands, who guided Poulin in O T to victory over Gulfstream’s all-weather surface in January 2025, has the mount.

Green With MV Stable’s Diciassette, who finished second by a head in his first start on Tapeta in the Aug. 29 Bear’s Den that was moved from turf to the all-weather track, has produced a strong series of workouts for his return to action in the Carotari.

The 3-year-old son of Mitole, a stakes winner on dirt, drew the No. 10 post position for his first start against older rivals.

“If there are some scratches, he’ll be more competitive. Being so wide going 5 1/2 is tough,” trainer Patrick Biancone said. “He’s been training well, but he’s a 3-year-old facing some nice older horses.”

Miguel Vasquez has the call on Diciassette, who will carry 116 pounds.

Equi-Venture Stable, Robert Proulx and Jeremy Peskoff’s Wildncrazynight will seek to win his third straight race while making his first start at Gulfstream and on Tapeta in the Carotari. The son of Midnight Lute will be coming off back-to-back optional claiming allowance victories on turf, at 5 1/2-furlongs at Monmouth and five furlongs at Delaware Park – after making his first 15 career starts on dirt.

The 4-year-old New Jersey-bred gelding, who ran eighth in the Haskell (G1) at Monmouth last year while trained by Dan Ward, joined trainer Kelly Breen’s stable this year. He has been assigned to carry 120 pounds. Edwin Gonzalez will ride Wildncrazynight for the first time Saturday.

Champion Equine LLC’s Esperon, Silverton Hill LLC’s Wootun, Endsley Oaks Farm Inc.’s Louie the Sun King and Red Diamond Stable LLC’s Talecareofbusiness round out the field.