Holy Bull Shakes Off Cobwebs at Gulfstream

HALLANDALE, Fla. — The presence of Holy Bull transforms a routine seven-furlong sprint into a race of national significance.

Thoroughbred racing’s biggest name will make his debut as a 4-year-old today in the $100,000 Olympic Handicap at Gulfstream Park. Five other horses will try to prevent Holy Bull from getting off to a fast start in 1995.

“This is not a sure thing,” trainer Jimmy Croll said. “We’re in there against a good group of horses, stakes winners.”

Holy Bull, winner of the 1994 Eclipse Award as the best 3-year-old colt, will be ridden by Mike Smith. He is the 3-5 early line favorite in his first start in 4 1/2 months.

Holy Bull’s toughest competitors are considered Birdonthewire and Patton. The other starters are Dusty Screen, Hudson Bay and Lynn’s Notebook.

Holy Bull faced Patton at seven furlongs a year ago in the Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream. Patton, carrying 113 pounds to Holy Bull’s 122, caught the 1-2 favorite in mid-stretch, but Holy Bull rallied to win by less than a length. Today, the weight difference is 11 pounds, with Holy Bull high-weighted at 126.

“I’d say he’s about 85-90%,” Croll said of Holy Bull’s condition. “He can’t be dead tight, but he’s done everything we’ve asked. It’s like last year in the Hutcheson.”

That race came after a 99-day layoff.