This year marks the 35th running of the Holy Bull Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park, the Miami-area oval’s first major prep on the road to the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1). The 1 1/16-mile main track test offers Road to the Derby points to the top finishers on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale, which could put the winner in the hunt to make the gate for the Run for the Roses.
Holy Bull, a son of Great Above and the Al Hattab mare Sharon Brown, was 1994’s Horse of the Year after a spectacular 3-year-old season that included wins in the Hutcheson Stakes, Florida Derby and Blue Grass Stakes on the road to the Derby for owner/trainer Warren “Jimmy” Croll. The handsome gray finished an uncharacteristic 12th under the Twin Spires in what was a hotly debated topic about whether or not he was medicated, so much so that even his owner/trainer believed it was possible due to the horse’s uncharacteristic performance. Fortunately, his Derby run did not define his career as he went on to win the Met Mile, Dwyer Stakes, Haskell Invitational, Travers Stakes and Woodward Stakes. In addition to his Horse of the Year title, he was also named 1994’s champion 3-year-old.
To racing fans, Holy Bull is one of the great grays of all time and joined a club that includes other notable grays like Native Dancer, Spectacular Bid, Winning Colors, Princess Rooney and Lady’s Secret. He stood a lengthy stud career at Darley at Jonabell in Kentucky, where he was a standout sire and was represented by names like Confessional, Macho Uno and Giacomo. He also is the broodmare sire to many top-notch runners since he retired in 1995 and was inducted into Racing’s Hall of Fame in 2001. He passed away at the age of 26 at Jonabell, where he spent his entire post-race life.
Since it was first contested in 1991 as the Preview Stakes (and renamed in 1996 for the 1994 Preview winner), the Holy Bull Stakes has seen some good horses reach the winner’s circle, including Derby winners Go For Gin (1994) and Barbaro (2006). Other recognizable names to have won the race, which has been contested at various distances from a mile to 1 3/16ths miles, include Hal’s Hope, Offlee Wild, Nobiz Like Shobiz, Dialed In, Irish War Cry, Audible, 2020 Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes winner Tiz the Law and in 2022, eventual 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner White Abarrio. It is the traditional prep for the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), which has been set for March 2 this year.
Hall of Famer Nick Zito has saddled the most winners of this race with three (1994, Go For Gin; 1995, Suave Prospect; and 2011, Dialed In) and is tied with Kiaran McLaugjlin (2005, Closing Argument; 2014, Cairo Prince; 2016 Mohaymen). Retired Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey has ridden five winners, the most recent being 26 years ago aboard Cape Town.
The South Florida weather is set to be beautiful and warm as usual, with highs in the upper 70s under partly cloudy skies. The Holy Bull is the day’s 12th with a post time of at 5:48 p.m. ET.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
