Abaan (Will Take Charge) looks to build upon his recent success with a bid in the GII Mac Diarmida S. over 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Gulfstream Park Saturday. The 5-year-old gelding, trained by Todd Pletcher, was last seen a clear winner over fellow Mac Diarmida entry Temple (Temple City) in the GIII W. L. McKnight S. Jan. 29. He also previously won the H. Allen Jerkens S. over this course in December.
Temple, breaking from post eight under Jose Ortiz, could be right there with a good trip, as the 6-year-old gelding has an ultra-consistent record, including a third last October in the 1 1/8-mile GIII Knickerbocker S. at Belmont Park. He was claimed by these connections for $80,000 in his next start, finishing second in a Nov. 19 Aqueduct optional claimer, and was third in another Big A optional claimer Dec. 5.
Though the elder statesman of the field at seven, Fantasioso (Arg) (Strategic Prince {GB}) has the class to keep up with his younger challengers. With jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr. aboard, Fantasioso posted a dead-heat victory in the GIII John B. Connally Turf Cup S. over 1 1/2 miles at Sam Houston Jan. 30.
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