He's a grade 2 winner on the turf, but he just wasn't getting it done in New York. While his maiden debut at Saratoga was a 4 ½ length stunner, he didn't fare too well in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) against JACKIE'S WARRIOR who ran off with a 12 ½ length victory. Then he switched to the turf to take the Bourbon Stakes but failed to close in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf after a wide trip.
When Todd Pletcher got him to Florida, it was time to take advantage of the change. As a three-year-old, the racing world is full of opportunity. He proved he feels at home on the dirt at Gulfstream Park January 2nd in the $100,000 Mucho Macho Man Stakes - a one mile race.
AWESOME GERRY went to the lead and set the pace with MUTASAABEQ pressing. At the quarter pole, Luis Saez made the move and they hit the wire a length and a half ahead of PAPETU, who finished second. AWESOME GERRY settled for third, 1 ¼ lengths behind PAPETU.
Future plans for MUTASAABEQ could include the Grade 3 Holy Bull, a prep race for the Kentucky Derby. Pletcher believes that based on his performance, two turns at Gulfstream would be of benefit to him.
MUTASAABEQ was a $425,000 purchase at the 2018 Keeneland November Mixed Breeding Stock Sale for Shadwell Stable. He is the first foal out of DOWNSIDE SCENARIO by SCAT DADDY.