Grade 1 Winner Howard Wolowitz Could Launch Comeback At Saratoga originally appeared on Paulick Report.
Before putting them on a van headed out of South Florida, trainer Jose D’Angelo worked a trio of his stable stars on the all-weather Tapeta course Sunday at Gulfstream Park.
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Abraham Gold’s Grade 1 winner Howard Wolowitz, unraced since a trip to Saudi Arabia in late February, continues to impress D’Angelo as he works toward making his comeback. The 4-year-old Munnings colt breezed four furlongs in 44.36 seconds, fastest of 17 horses, in his second work since finishing 10th the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2) Feb. 22 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
“He was sharp today. He worked pretty good,” D’Angelo said. “It was his last workout before going to Saratoga with the ultimate goal to run at Kentucky Downs in September. I’m very happy with the way he’s doing.”
Howard Wolowitz graduated second time out with a 7¾-length maiden special weight romp last June at Gulfstream. His next four starts came in stakes, marked by victories in the Franklin-Simpson (G1) at Kentucky Downs and Holiday Cheer at Turfway Park to cap his sophomore campaign.
“He came back from Saudi and we gave to him some time off. He ran hard all last year. I think that was the key because the horse is doing very well,” D’Angelo said. “We’ll see if he’s ready and if he can have one run at Saratoga before Kentucky Downs.”
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Leon King Stable Corp.’s Grade 2 winner Bentornato breezed four furlongs in 48.86 seconds on the Tapeta after turning in four three-furlong moves on the main track at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream’s satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.
Bentornato won the FSS Dr. Fager and Affirmed in 2023 but was denied a sweep of the series for 2-year-old Florida-breds, finishing third in the In Reality. Last year he was third in the Saudi Derby (G3) and second in the Robert Hilton Memorial prior to winning the Gallant Bob (G2) and finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), his most recent start.
“He worked good, too. We gave him time off after the Breeders’ Cup and he’s doing very well, also. We’re looking forward to running him at Saratoga,” D’Angelo said. “I don’t have him fit enough yet so I’m waiting to see when he will be ready.”
Soldi Stable and Qatar Racing’s Gabaldon went five furlongs in 57.26 seconds. A gelded 3-year-old son of Gone Astray, he was scratched from an open 5 ½-furlong allowance on the Gulfstream synthetic July 13 which would have been his first start since a third in the March 22 Texas Glitter.
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Gabaldon raced twice at 2, winning Gulfstream’s Royal Palm Juvenile in debut to earn a trip to England for the prestigious Royal Ascot meet, where he ran second in the Windsor Castle Stakes. He is slated to make his graded debut in a 5 ½-furlong turf sprint for 3-year-olds Aug. 10.
“He looked good today,” D’Angelo said. “He’s running in the Mahony [G3] at Saratoga next month.”
Howard Wolowitz, Bentornato and Gabaldon are scheduled to leave Monday for Saratoga along with Arindel’s Monster, a popular nine-length maiden special weight winner going five furlongs on the turf May 23 at Gulfstream, his third start. Monster went a half-mile in 48.30 seconds Saturday at Palm Meadows, third-fastest of 75 horses, and is being pointed to either the Aug. 2 Tyro at Monmouth Park or Aug. 16 Skidmore at Saratoga, both sprinting on the grass.
“They are all going to leave tomorrow,” D’Angelo said. “Nice truck.”
This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.