Roses In May Makes Debut as a 5-Year-Old

Roses In May, who was second to eventual horse of the year Ghostzapper in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 30, will make his 5-year-old debut in today’s $500,000 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park. A Grade I at 1 1/8 miles, the Donn is one of six graded stakes on the card.

Owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trained by Dale Romans, Roses In May won five of six starts in 2004, including his lone Grade I score, a thrilling nose triumph over Perfect Drift in the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga.

Roses In May, a son of Devil His Due, will be ridden by John Velazquez against a field that also includes Eddington, Pies Prospect, Seek Gold, Wishingitwas and Saint Liam.

A 5-year-old son of Saint Ballado owned by Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren Jr. and trained by Richard Dutrow Jr., Saint Liam came closer to beating Ghostzapper than any other horse in 2004. He finished a neck behind the champion when second in the Woodward on Sept. 17 at Belmont Park. Edgar Prado will ride Saint Liam, who has won five of 14, including two of three starts at Gulfstream.

Eddington, who was far more hype than performance as a 3-year-old, was impressive in his 2005 bow, winning by nearly 10 lengths in an optional claimer on Jan. 16.

Race of the day: The fifth race at Santa Anita is only a $16,000 claimer for 4-year-olds, but it is significant. It is the first leg of a pick six with a carry-over of $369,815. It also is the fourth race in the Magna 5, a pick five with a guaranteed pool of $500,000 made up of races from Laurel, Gulfstream and Santa Anita.

One for the road: Rush Around is bumped up a level after a big win in his first start over the inner track at Aqueduct and can score right back for owner Ron Winchell and trainer Steve Asmussen in today’s sixth.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Comics Dream, Caillech and Shoot For Gold in the third, Scotchwater in the fourth and Shining Energy, Placid Lake and Pink Coral in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/81. Money: Previous day/meet total: $5.20/$421.20. Total money bet: $510.