Global Weekly Review: Draw a line through Enticed’s run

Godolphin trainer Kiaran McLaughlin suggests that Enticed’s well-beaten fourth in Saturday’s G2 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park should be written off and the colt given another chance at his next run.

McLaughlin, who had earlier celebrated Avery Island’s comfortable win in the G3 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct, said there were negative factors associated with Enticed being trapped on the inside for a prolonged period around the first turn and turning into the back stretch.

“It was tight down on the inside,” the trainer explained. “Rain in the morning meant the track favoured those up on the speed.

“But Enticed, from gate 1, was taking dirt (in the face) for seven furlongs. Normally, you would be hoping for some spacing in the field, and a chance to get into the clear. But with the traffic on the inside that never happened,” he said.

The Holy Bull was won impressively by Audible, who raced away to score by five and a half lengths from Free Drop Billy, with Tiz Mischief, who Enticed had beaten at Churchill Downs last year, back in third.

Enticed was beaten 14 and threequarter lengths by the winner. But McLaughlin is adamant the colt still has valid Kentucky Derby claims. “He has 13 points already, but he needs to build on that score,” he pointed out.

Avery Island, on the other hand, has already accumulated 14 points, and with the likelihood of two more prep races before the Derby, he is shaping up as a serious contender.

“He ran great to win by two lengths, being eased down, and it was a very nice win,” McLaughlin said.

“It was nice to see him able to switch off early in the race, and then switch on later. Another horse went with him, but he still finished the race very strong. He’s still learning and can improve more.

“Jimmy Bell (of Godolphin America) and I will be discussing the program for both Avery Island and Enticed with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. Both colts have come out of their races very well. There are a range of options in coming weeks and they will run once, possibly twice, before the Derby,” he added.

Avery Island is due to fly back from New York to Palm Meadows Training Centre, Florida, on Tuesday.