Abaan Looks to Stand Out

[Wandering Eyes]

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. and so has already proven himself well-suited to the Gulfstream turf course.

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 the aforementioned second-place finish in the W. L. McKnight S., as well as a third last October in the 1 1/8-mile GIII Knickerbocker S. at Belmont Park.

Though the old man 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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