Nautical Star Looks to Get Back on Track in Sunday’s Benny the Bull

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – C2 Racing Stable LLC’s Nautical Star will look to get back on track in Sunday’s $75,000 Benny the Bull Handicap at Gulfstream Park, where the 5-year-old Oklahoma-bred had run in the Curlin Florida Derby (G1) two years ago.

Nautical Star, who is twice graded stakes-placed, is scheduled to make his second start off a 13-month layoff in the seven-furlong handicap for 3-year-olds and up. The Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee came off the long layoff, during which he ‘wasn’t right,’ to finish a troubled fourth in a June 13 optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream, where he got off to a slow start and ran into traffic.

“Last time I don’t think he ran very well. I can’t really use the trip as an excuse. I just think he didn’t fire, He couldn’t get out of the spot he needed to get out of,” Joseph said. “I gave him two works and freshened hm up since then. Hopefully, he’ll rebound. He needs to improve. If he does, he’ll be competitive.”

Nautical Star prepared for the Benny the Bull with a ‘bullet’ 35.55-second three-furlong breeze Aug. 15 at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream Park’s satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.

Nautical Star finished ninth in the 2023 Curlin Florida Derby in his third career start after graduating at Oaklawn Park. The son of Dixie Chatter, who won an optional claiming allowance in his next start, went on to finish second in the 2023 Gallant Bob (G2) at Parx and third in the 2024 Oaklawn Park Mile (G3).

“His best races are good enough to win this race,” said Joseph, who is also represented in the Benny the Bull field by C2 Racing Stable LLC and All In Line Racing Stable LLC’s General Ledger, who is scheduled to make his 2025 debut Sunday.

General Ledger has won on dirt, Tapeta and turf at Gulfstream during his 14-race career.

“Ideally, he wouldn’t come back in a stake, but he’s been off long enough and he’s training really well. It was keep waiting for an allowance or run him, so I thought we should run him get a race into him and see where we’re at,” Joseph said.

Nautical Star, who will be ridden by Edgard Zayas, has been assigned 120 pounds, four fewer than 124-pound highweight Shaq Diesel. General Ledger will carry 116 pounds, including Reylu Gutierrez.

Omar Ghrghar’s Shaq Diesel is a veteran of the South Florida handicap division who has won seven times, including a four-length victory in the seven-furlong Big Drama Handicap three starts back. The David Fawkes-trained 5-year-old most recently finished third in the Smile Sprint and second in an optional claiming allowance. The son of Khozan will concede between three and eight pounds to Sunday’s six rivals, including Fawkes stablemate Pure Class, who has been assigned 118 pounds.

Alex and JoAnn Lieblong’s Pure Class finished third in an Aug. 2 optional claiming allowance in which he was a length behind Shaq Diesel.

Miguel Vasquez has the return mount on Shaq Diesel, while Pure Class will be ridden back by Emisael Jaramillo

Winning Stables LLC and Todd Bittiger’s El Principito will return to dirt Sunday following an off-the-board finish in a turf handicap last time out. The Gerald Bennett-trained 4-year-old had previously finished second in the Smile Sprint, 1 ½ lengths ahead of Shaq Diesel, and won the allowance race in which Nautical Star finished fourth. The son of Accelerate will carry 121 pounds, including Jose Ferrer.

Bennett and El Principito’s owners will also be represented by Life Is Precious, a winner of three of 19 starts who has been assigned 118 pounds. Edwin Gonzalez has the return call aboard the 4-year-olds son of World of Trouble.

Blue Rose Farm LLC’s The Golden Gorilla enters the Benny the Bull in the best form of his career. The 4-year-old son of Hard Spun is coming off a July 20 optional claiming allowance victory, in which he scored by 8 ¾ lengths after running 6 ½ furlongs in a snappy 1:16.38. He made a five-wide sweep into the stretch before drawing off to a decisive win.

The Golden Gorilla’s recent development has coincided with Jose Morales taking over the reins four starts back. After managing to finish second once in his first six career races, the Antonucci trainee finished second at 37-1 after setting the pace in a 6 ½-furlong maiden special weight event April 19 with Morelos aboard. The Golden Gorilla graduated in his next start May 17 while being forwardly placed going six furlongs and rallying from off the pace to finish third a month later before romping in his last start. Morelos has the return mount on The Golden Gorilla, who has been assigned 117 pounds.