Revolutionary back to racing in 2014

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Hallandale Beach, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Revolutionary, last year's Louisiana Derby winner, gets back into the starting gate Saturday at Gulfstream Park for the time since finishing fifth to Palace Malice in the Belmont Stakes.

"He's progressing really well," trainer Todd Pletcher said. "Physically, he's done great since the Belmont. He's put on a lot of weight and filled out and matured, so we're very pleased with him.

"Mainly with him, it's just been his physical development. He's broadened out and filled out and strengthened and gained weight. He looks like a 4-year-old now."

Owned by WinStar Farm, Revolutionary will be ridden by Eclipse Award finalist Javier Castellano in a one-mile optional claiming allowance.

Revolutionary won the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds as the 2-1 favorite in the 1 1/8-mile race. The colt won the Withers Stakes in his 2013 debut effort at Aqueduct and got third behind Orb in the Kentucky Derby.

"His Louisiana Derby was impressive, and he ran a big third in the Derby and wasn't beaten that far," Pletcher said. "I think when he's on his game, he's arguably as good a horse as there is in training. We're hoping that proves to be the case this year."

Revolutionary has earned $1,018,500 in eight starts with three wins, a second and three thirds.

"We'll see how this race goes," Pletcher said. "Hopefully, this is a steppingstone toward the Donn (Handicap), and we'll go from there."