Super Ocho Set for Local Debut in Gulfstream Sprint 

Well-traveled Super Ocho (CHI) is scheduled to make his local debut in the $125,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes Feb. 25. Since arriving from Chile in early 2022, Matriarca's 5-year-old Chilean-bred has raced from coast to coast with stops in the Midwest. "It's a favorable race for Super Ocho. The field is tough, but Super Ocho likes Gulfstream Park's dirt track," trainer Amador Merei Sanchez said through an interpreter. "He was trained at Gulfstream before his campaign." Super Ocho's connections are hoping Super Ocho brings his 'A' game into the Gulfstream Park Sprint. "If he wins or runs a big one, we are exploring a possible trip to Dubai," Sanchez said. "If not, he will stay here and we will be evaluating a possible campaign in the U.S. in the short term. If he continues performing strong, an ultimate goal would be trying again the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1)." A multiple group 2 stakes winner in Chile, Super Ocho has held his own against some of the top sprinters in the U.S. since winning his stateside debut by 10 1/4 lengths at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort June 22. The son of Dubai Sky, a three-time winner on turf in Chile, shipped to Del Mar for the Green Flash Handicap (G3T) to make an unsuccessful U.S. grass debut, in which he was bumped early before making a bid into the stretch, only to fade out of the money. Super Ocho experienced a very troubled trip Oct. 1 while finishing a solid third in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G2), encouraging his connections to give the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland a try. Super Ocho set the pace into the stretch before faltering to sixth, four lengths behind victorious Elite Power. Super Ocho has made two starts in 2023, both at Delta Downs, where he finished second in the Sam's Town Stakes before registering an impressive 5 3/4-length front-running allowance optional claiming romp Jan. 27. Super Ocho tuned up for Saturday's local debut with a sharp half-mile workout Feb. 18 in :47.48, the second-fastest clocking of 117 workouts recorded at the distance. "Super Ocho worked as we expected. Edgar Perez, who rode him, said he was fantastic," Sanchez said. "He came out of the work very well." Emisael Jaramillo has been named to ride Super Ocho for the first time Saturday. "Emisael is an outstanding rider on horses with speed," Sanchez said. "We are expecting a solid performance." Frank Fletcher Racing Operations' Candy Man Rocket enters the Gulfstream Park Sprint in sharp form for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. The 5-year-old son of Candy Ride (ARG), who was on the 2021 Triple Crown trail after winning the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs, returned from an eight-month layoff to capture a seven-furlong optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream by 3 1/2 lengths on the frontend Feb. 5, 2022 before going back to the sidelines. He came off a year layoff to score a 2 1/4-length front-running victory in a six-furlong allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream Jan. 21, with Junior Alvarado in the tack; he has the return ride Saturday. Other runners include Lea Farms' grade 3 winner Lightening Larry, 2022 Gallant Bob Stakes (G2) winner Scaramouche set for his 2023 debut, Doc Amster, Cajun's Magic, and Uncle Ernie round out the field of seven.