Rocket Can Takes Aim at Fred W. Hooper Stakes

Multiple graded stakes winner Rocket Can looks to add another victory to his resume in the $165,000 Fred W. Hooper Stakes (G3) at one mile on the dirt at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25. The 5-year-old son of Into Mischief is coming off a win in the Harlan's Holiday Stakes (G3) Dec. 21 for trainer Bill Mott and owner Frank Fletcher Racing Operations. Junior Alvarado has the mount. He will have a rematch with Louisiana-bred Tumbarumba, who was second by 1 1/4 lengths in the Harlan's Holiday. The Brian Lynch-trained son of Oscar Performance won the Fred W. Hooper last year. Juan Carlos Avila sends out Little Vic, last seen finishing third behind Mufasa (CHI) and 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner White Abarrio in the Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) Dec. 28. Graded stakes-placed Northern Flame seeks his first graded victory for owners Robert Iacono, Albert Dilello, and Thoroneck Corp, and trainer Bruno Tessore. The 4-year-old son of Flameaway has not raced since his third-place finish in the Iowa Derby July 6. Olivia Darling Seeks REpeat Win in Inside Information Stakes (G2) Olivia Darling looks for an encore in the $215,000 Inside Information Stakes (G2) going seven furlongs on the dirt at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25. The 6-year-old daughter of Palace won the race in 2024 and was most recently seen winning an allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream Nov. 24. Jorge Delgado trains the graded stakes-winning mare for Amo Racing. "It was a nice effort last time, coming from four or five months without running. She performed like the old Olivia Darling," Delgado said. "Hopefully, she can revalidate herself in the Inside Information. She won it last year, and we're looking forward to running." Brad Cox sends out Stonestreet-owned Emery, winner of the Raven Run Stakes (G2) at Keeneland Oct. 19. The 4-year-old daughter of More Than Ready had a nearly perfect record last year, with her only defeat coming in the Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, where she finished second behind Ways and Means. Florida-bred Mystic Lake, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. for C2 Racing Stable and Stefania Farms, won the Sugar Swirl Stakes at Gulfstream Park Dec. 21. She's seeking her third graded stakes win. Mott sends out graded stakes-placed mares Nic's Style and Sterling Silver. Nic's Style won the City of Ocala Florida Sire Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs Dec. 14, and Sterling Silver was second in the Bay Ridge Stakes at Aqueduct Dec. 27.