Fort Larned returns in Gulfstream Park Handicap

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Hallandale Beach, FL (Sports Network) - Breeders' Cup Classic winner Fort Larned will make his return to the races Saturday in the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap at one-mile. The 5-year-old will face five rivals in his 2013 debut.

Trained by Ian Wilkes, Fort Larned begins his season from post 3 with Brian Hernandez Jr. again riding. The pair teamed up to win last year's Classic at Santa Anita by a half-length over Mucho Macho Man.

Fort Larned, owned by Janis Witham, had five wins in nine starts in 2012, including victories in the Cornhusker and Whitney Handicaps. Overall, he has posted eight wins in 19 lifetime starts for $3,681,236.

Making his third start of the year will be Fort Loudon from Nick Zito's barn. The 4-year-old colt will be ridden by Jose Lezcano from post 2.

Owned by Jacks or Better Farm, Fort Loudon began the year with a third to Ron the Greek in the Florida Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream and returned to win the Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship on Feb. 9.

In 21 career starts, Fort Loudon has won eight times for $848,123.

From the rail out here is the full field for the Handicap: Decaf Again, Jonathan Gonzales; Fort Loudon, Jose Lezcano; Fort Larned, Brian Hernandez Jr.; Discreet Dancer, Javier Castellano; Gourmet Dinner, Sebastian Madrid and Swagger Jack, Luis Saez.

The Gulfstream Park Handicap has an approximate post-time of 5:35 p.m. (ET).