—Feb 3— Red Oak Stable’s Bal Harbour rebounded from a fifth-place showing in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes in his debut at Gulfstream Park with an impressive length-and-a-quarter score in the Grade III Withers on Saturday, February 3 at Aqueduct. The Todd Pletcher trainee had to run down the top two favorites to do it, first going by the heavy favorite, Avery Island, then Firenze Fire. Away at 11/1, Bal Harbour paid $25.50 to win.
Like Bal Harbour, Jason Servis’ Firenze Fire was making his second start of the year, having raced previously in the Jermone Stakes in January, where, coincidentally, he finished second then, too, falling a length short to Gronkowski.
Godolphin’s Avery Island was also exiting the Jerome, where he finished third as the 3/5 favorite. He was bet down to 1/5 in the Withers and fared no better. Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and ridden by Joe Bravo, he is expected to make this next start in the Gotham in March.
Retro Horse Racing Game 