FLORIDA FOCUS

by Brock Sheridan

Florida-bred The Goddess Lyssa Goes Gate to Wire to Win Minaret

Florida-bred The Goddess Lyssa ■ SV Photography

OBITUARY John Fernung

Florida-bred Goddess Lyssa broke like a shot from post four and never looked back on her way to a three-and-a-quarter-length victory in the $50,000 Minaret Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 13. The Minaret showcased a field of six fillies and mares, 4-years-old and older, who went six furlongs. Trained by Gerald Bennett for Mary K. Thomas in the name of her Team Equistaff Inc., the Goddess Lyssa led by a length-and-a-half ahead of Poseidon’s Passion in second with Heiressall to her inside in third as the Florida-bred trio completed the first-quarter-mile in :22.23 on the track listed as good. The Goddess Lyssa went around the turn without a threat and widened her lead to two lengths at the top of the stretch as she clicked off a :45.07 half-mile split. She extended her margin in the run to the wire and finished up in 1:10.02 as Bronx Beauty rallied from fourth to finish second, a half-length better than supplemental entry Poseidon’s Passion in third. They were followed in order by Heiressall, Caught Up in You and Tale of Success. The final time was just .39 seconds off Spanish Concert’s 2017 stakes record. Bennett said he thought the track record of 1:08.67, set by Florida-bred It’s Me Mom in 2012, could have possibly been threatened had

Longtime thoroughbred horseman John Fernung, 79, passed the Minaret been run on a track listed as fast. away on March 5, 2020, in Ocala, Fla. In the early 1970s, Fernung It’s Me Mom is also a winner of the was the racing manager for the powerful Dan Lasater Racing Minaret having won the 2011 renewal. Stable. Lasater Stable was the leading money winning stable in It was the second consecutive year Benthe country five consecutive years and won three Eclipse Awards nett won the Minaret having taken the race in during that time. During Fernung’s tenure as Lasater’s racing 2020 with the recently retired Florida-bred manager, the stable raced Grade 1 winners, Hot N Nasty, Honky champion Lady’s Island. Star and Royal Glint among others. After the race, Centeno said he was pleased

In the late 1970s, Fernung relocated from the racetrack to John Fernung with how she handled the off track and that become Lasater’s Farm Manager in Ocala. During the next few The Goddess Lyssa continues to improve. years Fernung and Lasater developed a nationally renowned stallion station. Among the “For her first time on a muddy track, she stallions they brought to Ocala were North America’s leading sire in 1981, Nodouble, his ran really good,” Centeno said. “She likes to sire, Noholme II, Holy Bull’s sire, Great Above, and Silver Charm’s sire, Silver Buck. run on the lead, and I got her to relax well.

When Lasater dispersed his thoroughbred holdings in 1984, Fernung purchased the “She was a little nervous at the start of her one-thousand acre facility in partnership with another Eclipse Award winner, John Franks, career, but she keeps getting better and [Bento form Southland Farm. During his tenure with Franks, Fernung syndicated At The nett] is doing a great job with her.” Threshold, sire of 1992 Kentucky Derby (G1)-winner, Lil E Tee. Fresh off of a 10-length score in a second-

Fernung also mentored several members of his family who entered the thoroughbred in- level, $32,000 optional claiming allowance dustry. Among them is his brother, Brent Fernung, who along with his wife, Crystal are the race on Jan. 6 at Tampa Bay Downs in which owners of Journeyman Stud in Ocala. Fernung’s nephew, Scott Warner is the farm manager she also led the six furlong test from start to of Robert S. Evan’s Courtland Farm in Maryland. John Fernung’s son, Andrew is the latest finish, The Goddess Lyssa went to the post as member of the family to enter the thoroughbred industry. Andrew is currently the sales co- the 4-5 favorite and paid $3.80 to win. ordinator for Eddie Woods Stable. Bred in Florida by Brent and Crystal Fer-

John Fernung is also survived by daughter Nicole Fernung, grandson Bryce (Andrew and nung, The Goddess Lyssa is by Fury Kapcori, Cally), brothers Jerry Fernung (Barbee) and Andrew S. Fernung, sister Linda Warner and who stands at the Fernung’s Journeyman Stud, three nephews and four nieces. ■ and she is out of Amazing Beauty, by Dis-

torted Humor. She is the first black type stake-winner for Fury Kapcori, who has also sired Christmas Dance, winner of the $25,000 Jack Hardy Stakes at Assiniboia Downs in July of 2020.

It was the fifth victory in seven starts for the 4-year-old The Goddess Lyssa, who won her first three starts including a 12 ½ romp against $4,000 maiden claimers in her debut over five-and-a-half furlongs on Jan. 11, 2020. She then won a first-level, $75,000 optional claiming allowance race over six furlongs three weeks later and a $4,000 starter allowance on March 13, also at six furlongs with all three races coming at Tampa Bay Downs.

The $30,000 first-place check in the Minaret increased The Goddess Lyssa’s career bankroll to $93,915, proving a good return on her $10,000 price tag paid by Thomas at the 2019 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Open Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training where she was consigned by the Fernungs under the banner of their Journeyman Bloodstock Services.

“I had a good shopping partner with me, Gerald Bennett,” Ocala-resident Thomas said. “It was early in the day, there weren’t too many people there and we got a good bargain. We’ve given her some time and she has come back strong, and I’m very excited.” ■ Florida-bred Queen Nekia Dictates Big Upset in Royal Delta Stakes

Florida-bred Queen Nekia went to the post in the Grade 3 Royal Delta at Gulfstream Park Feb. 21 with her only black type victory and last winning effort coming four starts back on Aug. 28 in the $150,000 Dance to Bristol Stakes at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. Five of the seven fillies and mares she was facing were winners in their last starts including 3-2 favorite Mrs. Danvers and 2-1 second choice Eres Tu, both of whom had won Grade 3 stakes in their previous starts.

With odds of nearly 30-1 in the $100,000 Royal Delta, Queen Nekia and jockey Corey Lanerie rolled to a length-and-a-quarter upset for owner Ken Copenhaver and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., who also saddled eventual fourth-place finisher Gibbrish, a winner of three straight including the $100,000 Treasure Chest Stakes at Delta Downs in November in her last start.

Queen Nekia appeared to be running to expectations early in the mile-and-one-sixteenth Royal Delta as she was last of eight around the clubhouse turn and more than six lengths behind early leader Mrs. Danvers, who finished the first two furlongs in :23.31 with Gibberish to her inside in second.

As the fillies and mares headed into the far turn after a :47.48 half-mile, Queen Nekia had just one horse beat, but Lanerie suddenly pressed the pedal around the far turn on Queen Nekia and they quickly passed horses with a rail skimming run.

With a quarter-mile to run, Mrs. Danvers, Gibberish and Eres Tu had formed a three-horse barrier on the lead that momentarily halted Queen Nekia’s momentum as they reached the top of the stretch after six furlongs in 1:11.53. But a tiring Gibberish left open a slight opportunity on the rail of which Queen Nekia and Lanerie exposed with a quick burst to challenge the now front-running Eres Tu to her outside. Those two raced in tandem in the run for home before Queen Nekia prevailed

Florida-bred Queen Nekia (right) ■ Lauren King Photo Continued on next page

Florida Focus

Florida-bred Miss Auramet ■ SV Photography

in a time of 1:43.02.

Eres Tu was four-and-three-quarters lengths ahead to Bajan Girl in third followed in order by Gibberish, Mrs. Danvers, Hallawallah, High Regard and Dream Marie.

“It set up good. I saw a little pace on paper, and she broke really good. I was trying to get over to the rail, and then finally I just kind of let all the speed go and got back a little bit— probably a little bit further than I wanted to,” Lanerie said following his third victory of the day. “When I called on her, I had a lot of horse.”

The victory for Queen Nekia also avenged a fourth-place finish behind her stablemate in the one mile Treasure Chest Stakes, which was run over a sloppy and sealed track.

“[For] both horses, since they ran together at Delta Downs, this has been the intended target—give them a freshening and train them together. Gibberish, I don’t think she was at her best, plus I think the pace didn’t help her,” Joseph said. “Queen Nekia finished third last year [in the Royal Delta]. She’s a deserving winner. She’s a filly that deserved a Grade 3. She’s a filly we claimed for $25,000, and this makes her so much more valuable.”

Joseph snagged Queen Nekia for $25,000 out of a first condition, optional claiming allowance that she won by six lengths at Gulfstream in December of 2019. She then won a second level, $62,500 allowance optional claiming in her next start before finishing third in the 2020 Royal Delta won by another Florida-bred in Cookie Dough. The 6-year-old Queen Nekia has now won 10 of 32 career starts with six seconds and seven thirds and the $60,140 firstplace check increased her earnings to $489,876. She paid $60.60 to win. The dark bay or brown mare is by Harlington out of All Night Labor, by Double Honor and was bred by Porter Racing Stable LLC.

Florida-breds have now won half of the last eight runnings of the Royal Delta with Sheer Drama taking the 2015 version and Devil’s Cave winning the year before when the race was known as the Sabin Stakes. ■

Miss Auramet Rallies to Win Lightning City Stakes

After finishing 2020 with three straight wins, Florida-bred Miss Auramet advanced into stakes company for the new year but missed in her first two attempts after a bad start in the $75,000 Abundantia Stakes at Gulfstream on Jan. 1 and a runner-up finish to Florida-bred juggernaut Lady’s Island in the $100,000 Lady’s Turf Sprint, which was moved to main track on Feb. 6 at Gulfstream.

But the 5-year-old Florida-bred mare was on point Feb. 24 at Tampa Bay Downs as she ran down early leaders Payntdembluesaway, the 9-5 favorite; and Florida-bred The Goddess Lyssa in mid-stretch to win the $75,000 Lightning City and earn her first career stakes victory.

The Lightning City, which saw a full field of 12 fillies and mares sprint five furlongs on the turf, also featured a $25,000 bonus for Florida-breds who finished in the top six paid on a 60-20-10-5-3-2 percent basis.

Payntdembluesaway and The Goddess Lyssa both faded late in the Lightning City to finish fourth and seventh respectively as Ode to Joy rallied for second and finished a halflength better than another late run put in by Sethamee Street in third. Florida-bred The Great Kath was fifth and in addition to her share of the purse, earned 2% of the $25,000 Florida-bred bonus.

They were followed by Jeanie B in sixth, then The Goddess Lyssa, Royal Collection, Florida-bred Lenzi’s Lucky Lady, Roman d’Oro, Florida-bred Bluefield and Weekend Fun.

Lenzi’s Lucky Lady and The Goddess Lyssa broke fastest of all but were quickly joined by Payntdembluesaway in the initial strides before The Goddess Lyssa and jockey Daniel Centeno took command going into the turn.

The Goddess Lyssa and Payntdembluesaway went together around the bend, a length-and-a-half ahead of Lenzi’s Lucky Lady in third as Miss Auramet stalked them from fourth through a blazing :20.78 first quarter.

Payntdembluesaway stuck a head in front of The Goddess Lyssa turning for home as Miss Auramet moved into third while racing three-wide. Payntdembluesaway surged to the lead mid-way for home but Miss Auramet ran her down in the final sixteenth and crossed under the wire a half-length better than the hard charging pair of Ode to Joy in second and Sethamee Street in third in a final time of :55.30 on the firm turf and the same clocking as the Turf Dash earlier on the card.

She paid $18 to win.

Trained by Eddie Plesa Jr. for David Melin, Leon Ellman and Laurie Plesa, Miss Auramet won for the eighth-time in 19 starts while finishing second five times and third twice. She banked the $45,000 winner’s share of the purse plus $15,000 in Florida-bred bonus money to increase her career earnings to $349,750.

Plesa said Allison De Luca, the Tampa

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Bay Downs racing secretary, was instrumental in his decision to keep Miss Auramet in the race after the two postponements. Both the Lightning City and the Turf Dash run earlier in the card had been originally scheduled for Feb. 13. But excessive rain on the turf course prompted Tampa Bay Downs management to postpone the two races to Feb. 20 then again to Feb. 24.

“It was disappointing because I was thinking about running her next week [in the Captiva Island Stakes at Gulfstream, which is also five furlongs on the turf],” Plesa said from south Florida. “Allison was on top of her business like all good racing secretaries are supposed to be and kept me informed what was happening there with the weather and the turf course.

Plesa eventually sent Miss Auramet to the Mar. 6 Captiva Island, which was rained off the turf. Miss Auramet finished second to A Bit of Both. (See full story on page 15).

“If it wasn’t for Allison, [Miss Auramet] would not have been in the race,” Plesa said. “That said, I thought she had an excellent chance of winning. The jockey knew her and gave her a perfect ride.”

Plesa also won the Lightning City in 2018 with Miz Mayhem, owned by his wife.

Jockey Roberto Alvarado Jr., who also rode Miss Auramet to victory last August at Delaware, said he was also optimistic before the race.

“I knew she is a good breaker. There was a lot of speed in the race, but I knew I was going to be close and when she was ready, I just let her roll,” Alvarado said. “Other horses were coming late, but she kept digging in so I wasn’t too worried. She’s an honest horse who always tries hard, on dirt and turf.”

Plesa said the victory was a welcome tonic for co-owner David Melin, who is currently hospitalized after a fall. “We were able to talk afterward and he is really pleased.”

Miss Auramet is by Uncaptured out of Hello Susie, by Yes It’s True and was bred by Marion G. Montanari. ■

Gaffalione Notches Career Win No. 1,500 at Gulfstream

Last Judgment Rules in Challenger Stakes

Tyler Gaffalione ■ Churchill Downs Photo “I’m just living the dream.” Tyler also holds a share of the Gulfstream Park record for most wins on a card, becoming only the second jockey with seven winners July 4, 2017. Jerry Bailey (March 11, 1996), Luis Saez (Jan. 24, 2018 and March 29, 2018) and Paco Lopez (March 11, 2020) have also ridden seven winners in a day. ■ Last Judgment continued his pattern of winning every other start March 6 at Tampa Bay Downs as the Florida-bred gelding won the $100,000 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes

Tyler Gaffalione has notched yet another (Grade 3) against a solid group of four other career milestone at Gulfstream Park, where older horses going a mile-and-one-sixteenth. he rode his 1,500th winner while guiding The 7-year-old son of Congrats repeated Florida-bred and Jacks or Better Farm-home- his wire-to-wire victory two starts prior in the bred Awesome Pudding to a debut victory on $75,000 Sunshine Classic at Gulfstream Park Feb. 24 in Race 4,a six-furlong dash for on Jan. 16 as he again led from start to finish $50,000 maiden claimers. in the Challenger.

The 26-year-old native of Davie, Fla., rode Last Judgment had a two length lead at his first winner, Holdin Bullets, at Gulfstream the top of the stretch after six furlongs in Sep. 7, 2014 and reached the 1,000-win mile- 1:11.37 and was never threatened thereafter stone aboard Mission From Elle at the Hal- as he cruised to a two-and-a-quarter-length landale Beach track Dec. 30, 2018. victory in 1:41.98 on the fast track with Mod-

Gaffalione, who won the Eclipse Award as ernist second, a length-and-a-quarter in front the nation’s leading apprentice while riding full of War Stopper in third. Letmeno and Jungle time at Gulfstream in 2015, teamed with trainer Fighter completed the order of finish. Ralph Nicks for three victories on the Feb. 24 Continued on page 14 program. They scored backto-back victories with Floridabred Shoug ($5.60) in Race 3 and Awesome Pudding ($28.60) in Race 4 before winning Race 6 with Floridabred Dassult Mirage ($9).

“I’ve been so fortunate during my career. I’ve always gotten tremendous support from the owners and trainers. I owe a lot to my agent Matt Muzikar. These horses keep showing up,” Gaffalione said. Florida-bred Last Judgment ■ SV Photography

Florida Focus

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Last Judgement paid $4.80 as the 7-5 favorite.

“It looked like he should be forwardly placed and that’s how the race was run,” winning trainer Mike Maker said. “He seemed to be well within himself the whole way. He got into a nice rhythm and kept it going. We tried to chase Knicks Go in the Pegasus. I’ll try to spot him more appropriately the rest of the year.”

After Last Judgment won the Sunshine Classic, Maker sent him against some of the best older horses in North America in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream on Jan. 23 where he chased eventual winner Knicks Go through the first six furlongs before fading to eighth of 12.

“Mike’s instructions were to take the lead and he broke really sharp and made an easy lead all the way to the wire,” Centeno said. “[Letmeno] got a little close to me past the half-mile pole, but my horse grabbed the bit again and I knew I had plenty of horse left. It looks like he can run all day. It’s nice when you get a lead like that and the horse is enjoying being out there all by himself.”

Last Judgment was claimed by current owner Steve Hornstock for $62,500 out of a second condition allowance optional claiming race going six-and-a-half furlongs that he won by a head in October at Belmont. Hornstock then partnered with the Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables LLC and Nice Guys Stables on Last Judgment and they immediately tried him unsuccessfully against Grade 3 company in the Mr. Prospector Stakes won by Sleepy Eyes Todd at Gulfstream on Dec. 19 before they won the Sunshine Classic against Florida-breds.

His win loss pattern started two races before the aforementioned claim when he won a seven furlong claiming race at Saratoga on Sept. 6, a race in which trainer Thomas Morley tagged him for $40,000 before sending him in a second condition, $62,500 optional claiming race going six furlongs at Belmont Park where he finished fifth behind winner Big Engine.

Out of Fantasy Forest, by Foresty and bred by Woodford Thoroughbreds, Last Judgment now has seven wins in 17 starts with a secomd and a third and earnings of $352,965.

He was a $300,000 purchase by bloodstock agent Steven W. Young at the 2018 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale where he was consigned by Bobby Dodd. Dodd bought him for Grand Oaks for $90,000 as a yearling at Fasig-Tipton October from the Woodford consignment. ■

A Bit of Both Tops Florida-bred Trifecta in Captiva Island

Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Darsan Inc., Bethlehem Stables and David Simon’s A Bit of Both made a late run in deep stretch during a driving rain storm to win the $75,000 Captiva Island ahead of odds-on favorite Miss Auramet and Tracy Ann’s Legacy and lead a Florida-bred trifecta at Gulfstream Park on March 6. The Captiva Island was originally slated to be run at five furlongs on the turf, but it was decided while the fillies and mares were in the paddock that it would be moved to the main track due to the wet weather. Despite the late decision, the field was reduced only to seven with Karak being the lone late scratch.

Miss Auramet, who had a win and a second on two other off tracks moved from the turf at Gulfstream, was made the 4-5 favorite at post time with A Bit of Both the second choice at 7-2. Although A Bit of Both had an off-the-turf victory at Churchill Downs over a fast track in November against allowance fillies, in her last start, she was fifth in the Ladies Turf Sprint taken off the grass and won by Florida-bred champion Lady’s Island with Miss Auramet second over a sloppy track on Feb. 6 at Gulfstream.

Queen of Shade took the early lead from post one with Tracy Ann’s Legacy to her outside in second with Miss Auramet third as they went into the first turn. Meanwhile A Bit of Both had one horse beat and was four lengths off the pace after a first-quarter split in :22.48.

Miss Auramet skimmed the rail turning for home and took a short lead ahead of Tracy Ann’s Legacy to her outside in second as they finished the half-mile in :45.90. Farther back, A Bit of Both was sent five-wide around the turn by jockey Jose Ortiz but did not appear to be within striking distance at the top of the stretch.

Miss Auramet appeared to be on her way to victory inside the final furlong when A Bit of Both appeared with her late charge from the middle of the course. Miss Auramet continued strong to the finish but was unable to hold of A Bit of Both, who got up late to win by a half-length.

Tracy Ann’s Legacy was a resilient third, another half-length back and a length-and-ahalf ahead of Choose Joy in fourth. They were followed in order by Nightlife, Compensate and Queen of Shades.

The final time was :58.93.

A Bit of Both, who was also fifth going five-and-a-half furlongs on the Fair Grounds turf in the $75,000 Pan Zareta Stakes won by Ellez two starts prior on Dec. 5, improved to

Florida-bred Willie Boi ■ Ryan Thompson Photo

three wins in her previous five races. She defeated allowance fillies at Keeneland in October before she won the off-turf allowance at Churchill.

She now has 10 wins in 18 career starts with two seconds and a third and the $45,570 first-place check for owners Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables LLC, Darsan Inc., Bethlehem Stables LLC and David Simon increased her lifetime earnings to $433,253.

By Paynter out of Lizzie K., by High Fly, A Bit of Both was bred by Darsan Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC.

She is a graduate of the 2017 Ocala Breeders’ Sales October Mixed Sale where Darsan purchased her back for $10,000. ■

Willy Boi Remains Unbeaten As a Sprinter With Hutcheson Win

After winning his first two career starts, both at six furlongs, Florida-bred Willy Boi tried a mile-and-one-sixteenth against some of the best of his class but was unsuccessful with an off-the-board finish in the Grade 3 Holy Bull won by Greatest Honour, who won the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth on Feb. 27 in his next start.

Willy Boi returned to the six furlong distance in the $75,000 Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream Park March 6 and remained undefeated in three starts at the distance after a length-and-a-quarter victory with jockey Corey Lanerie aboard.

Florida-bred Warrior’s Pride went to the front shortly after the start from post one with Willy Boi and 4-5 favorite Roderick together in second to his outside and those three raced in tandem into the turn after a :21.97 first quarter-mile over the sloppy and sealed track.

Turning for home, Willy Boi took a slight advantage while racing between Warrior’s Pride on the rail and Roderick on the outside as they clicked off a half-mile in a more controlled :44.99.

But Willy Boi was at the top of his game into the stretch as he drew clear to lead by a length past the eighth pole before drifting out slightly but extending his margin to a lengthand-three-quarters ahead of a late running Ultimate Badger in second. They finished in 1:10.93. Lauda Speed was another length back to get third followed by Real Talk, Warrior’s Pride and Roderick.

Lanerie said Willy Boi felt strong throughout and gave credit to trainer Jeff Engler for having the bay gelding so well prepared after the Holy Bull disappointment.

“I was pretty confident. Jeff had him ready. He tried him long the last time—he had to. The horse didn’t want to go that long. He showed today he’s a sprinter,” Lanerie said. “I was really confident, especially coming out of the route race and him having a little bit more air. The horse put me in a great position and I just had to be a great passenger.”

Engler said he was also very pleased with the performance.

“He’s just a nice horse. He was two-fortwo and we wanted to give him a shot in the Holy Bull. We felt pretty confident coming back into [the Hutcheson], and he ran great so we’re happy,” Engler said. “We’re so happy for the owners. This is one of the first horses they bought and he’s just turned out to be a good one.”

Willy Boi earned $46,065 for owner Lea Farms LLC and increased his career earnings to $96,035 with his third win from four starts.

He was sent to the post as the 7-2 second choice in the Hutcheson and returned $9.60 to win.

Lea Farms purchased the son of Uncaptured for $40,000 out of the Ocala Stud consignment at the 2020 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Mixed Sale in October. He is out of the multiple stakes-winning mare Shining Moment, by Yes It’s True and was bred by Ocala Stud and William J. Terrell.

Less than two months after the sale, Willy Boi won his first start by a half-length against Florida-bred special weight maidens on Dec. 10 at Gulfstream while leading from start to finish. He returned for his second start on Jan. 7 at Gulfstream and won by two-and-threequarters lengths, this time with a stalking trip against first condition, Florida-bred allowance runners. ■

Venezuelan Hug Slides Through Narrow Gap Late to Win The Canadian Turf

Florida-bred Venezuelan Hug took his recent success against fellow Florida-breds into the Grade 3 Canadian Turf at Gulfstream Park Saturday and won by a neck ahead of Olympic Runner in second under a masterful ride by jockey Junior Alvarado.

The $125,000 Canadian Turf featured a field of nine 4-year-olds and older going a mile-and-one-sixteenth on the turf.

Coming out of a head victory in the $60,000 Millions Turf Preview at Gulfstream Park West on Nov. 2 and a three-quarters of a length victory in the $75,000 Sunshine Turf Stakes at Gulfstream on Jan. 16, both over a mile-and-a-sixteenth on the grass versus Florida-breds, Venezuelan Hug was let go at 9-2 in the Canadian Turf behind Tampa Bay Stakes (G3) runner-up Eons, who was the 52 favorite, and Winters Back and Olympic Runner, both at 4-1.

Breaking from post six, Venezuelan Hug

Florida Focus

Florida-bred Venezuelan Hug ■ Lauren King Photo

and Alvarado were in no hurry going past the finish line for the first time as they settled along the rail in a joint fifth with Olympic Runner as 25-1 longshot Bizzee Channel shot to the lead from post one.

Bizzee Channel galloped through fractions of :23.69 for the first quarter-mile and the half in :48.48 with Winters Back to his outside in second and the pair raced together around the far turn to finish six furlongs in 1:11.48.

As the field ran past the quarter-pole, Venezuelan Hug began to advance toward the two leaders while still along the rail but had little room as they came out of the turn and began the run for home. Winter Memories put away Bizzee Channel at the top of the stretch when Gear Jockey and Olympic Runner ranged up together to challenge on his outside past the sixteenth marker. Meanwhile Venezuelan Hug found a sliver of an opening between Gear Jockey and Winters Back and surged up to engage in a head bobbing fight with Olympic Runner in the final fifty yards.

Venezuelan Hug finished ahead of Olympic Runner in a time of 1:40.42 on the firm turf with Gear Jockey another length back in third. Winters Back held on for fourth followed by Eons, Dynadrive, Fancy Liquor, Bizzee Channel and Monarchs Glen (GB).

Venezuelan Hug paid $11 on a $2 win ticket.

It was the sixth win from 10 career starts for Venezuelan Hug, a 4-year-old son of Constitution who was claimed for $40,000 by trainer Danny Gargan and Spedale Family Racing LLC out of a third-place finish against maidens at Gulfstream in his second career start in March of last year. Four starts later, Spedale Family Racing and Marianne Spedale partnered with R.A. Hill Stable on Venezuelan Hug after a two-and-a-quarter-length victory on turf against first condition allowance 3-year-olds at Saratoga on Aug. 9. Currently the ownership team is officially Spedale Family Racing LLC and R.A. Hill Stable.

The $74,400 first-place check for winning the Canadian Turf increased his career bankroll to $252,830. Venezuelan Hug is out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Downtown Diva and was bred by Orlyana Farm. ■

Florida-bred C Z Rocket Becomes Millionaire with Hot Springs Victory Ending Whitmore’s Domination

The Breeders’ Cup Sprint also stopped a five-race winning streak for C Z Rocket going back to a $50,000 claiming race at Churchill Downs in May and ending with victories in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 28 and the Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship on Sept. 27 just prior to the Breeders’ Cup. Whitmore and C Z Rocket were adjacent in posts six and seven respectively in the Hot Springs and both started even with the field. Firecrow, the longest shot on the board at 341 and a Whitmore stablemate from the Ron Moquett barn, sprinted to a one length lead in the run down the back stretch as Whitmore galloped along in sixth, four lengths from the front and two lengths better than a trailing C Z Rocket. After a first quarter-mile in a rapid :21.65, Mr. Jagermeister moved closer and to the outside of Firecrow around the turn as Whitmore began to pass horses while three wide with C Z Rocket still a length-and-half behind him. Firecrow turned for home a half-length in front after a half-mile in :44.69 but Whitmore was suddenly among a wall of six sprinters— all with a chance—while C Z Rocket still

C Z Rocket snapped one of the more dis- lagged in last on the far outside. tinguished winning streaks in recent thor- Whitmore accelerated to the lead in upper oughbred racing March 13 when the stretch but C Z Rocket quickly found his best Florida-bred gelding defeated Whitmore by a stride past the sixteenth pole to draw even and neck in the Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn those two fought in the final 100 yards to the Park—a race in which the latter had won four finish. consecutive times dating back to 2017. C Z Rocket and jockey Florent Geroux

The $200,000 Hot Springs had assembled an impressive field of seven sprinters, 4-years-old and older, who went six furlongs and also allowed C Z Rocket to avenge his loss to Whitmore after finishing second to the 2020 Eclipse Award champion sprinter in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland on Nov.7. Florida-bred C Z Rocket ■ Coady Photo

completed the six furlongs in 1:09.04 on the fast track with Whitmore second, a lengthand-a-half ahead of Flagstaff in third. Firecrow, Boldor, Engage and Mr. Jagermeister completed the order of finish.

C Z Rocket paid $7.20 to win.

“I didn’t think we would be behind Whitmore, but it kind of worked Miller said. “Might have been a blessing in disguise to track Whitmore. He’s such a great horse, Whitmore, and so is C Z Rocket. I just can’t say enough about both of these horses. My congratulations to the connections of Whitmore on having this horse ready to rock and roll. C Z Rocket, the Floridabred champion older horse and champion sprinter of 2020, is trained by Peter Miller, who claimed the now 7-year-old for $40,000 at Oaklawn last year in April for owner Tom Kagele. Kagele has since partnered with Madaket Stables LLC and Gary Barber on the ownership team that has seen C Z Rocket win six of seven starts since the claim

C Z Rocket now sports a record of 10 wins, two seconds and two thirds from 24 starts and the $120,000 first-place check made him the 175th member of the Floridabred millionaires club with $1,011,641 in career earnings.

C Z Rocket is by City Zip out of Successful Sarah, by Successful Appeal and was bred by Farm III Enterprises. He was a then sale record $800,000 purchase by Frank Fletcher Racing Operations out of the Stephens Thoroughbreds consignment at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Open Sale in June of 2016.

Successful Sarah has also produced Great Success, by Verrazano, who was second to Jackson in the 2019 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Sophomore Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Florida Cup Day. ■

Florida-bred Warrior’s Pride Rockets to Victory in Texas Glitter

Warrior’s Pride jumped out of the starting gate as if he was shot out of a cannon and the Florida-bred colt held on to win the $75,000 Texas Glitter Stakes with Junior Alvarado aboard.

The Texas Glitter featured a field of eight 3-year-olds and Warrior’s Pride is the third consecutive Florida-bred winner of the five furlong turf stakes following the Mark Casse-trained Yes I am Free for owner Gary Barber in 2019 and Cajun Casanova last year for trainer Michael Pino and owner Smart Angle LLP.

Breaking from the outside post eight, Warrior’s Pride continued his accelerated velocity into the turn with a two-and-a-half-length lead ahead of Nitro Time in second with evenmoney favorite Field Day giving chase in third as he sped through a first quarter-mile in a blazing :20.57.

He continued to keep the wide margin into the stretch and sprinted through a torrid halfmile in :43.05 while extending his lead to three lengths past the eighth-pole.

Kasim and Field Day tried to launch their respective challenges but never got closer than three-quarters of a length at the finish as Warrior’s Pride completed the distance on the firm turf in :55.37.

Kasim was second, a nose better than Field Day in third with Omaha City, Dr. Duke, Nitro Time and No Que No completing the order of finish.

Warrior’s Pride was let go at 10-1 odds and paid $23.20 on a $2 win ticket.

Alvarado, 36, won his first career race at Gulfstream in 2007 and returned this winter for his first full Championship Meet in 12 years. One of his biggest backers has been winning trainer Antonio Cioffi, a fellow Venezuelan.

“He’s been a great help since I got here from Venezuela. This win actually meant a lot to me,” Alvarado said. “He just told me, ‘Hang on. When you break out of there, don’t do anything. Let him run. He’s the fastest horse in the race, for sure.’

“I trust him. It’s many years that I know him. He broke out of there like a rocket and carried me all the way to the wire,” he added. “I knew he was going fast. He’s a very fast horse. Antonio Cioffi has done a great job with him. He said to let him run as free as he wanted to do it and he’s going to hang on to the end. He certainly did.”

A homebred for Just for Fun Stable Inc., Warrior’s Pride broke his maiden in his third career start against special weight company going five-and-and-a-half furlongs at Gulfstream Park West on Nov. 15, winning by two-and-three-quarter lengths. He then won a first condition, $75,000 optional claiming allowance going six furlongs by four-and-aquarter lengths in his next start before trying stakes for the first time in the six furlong Limehouse Stakes at Gulfstream on Jan. 2. He finished fifth to winner Drain the Clock in the Limehouse then was fifth again to fellow Florida-bred Willy Boi in the six furlong Hutcheson Stakes on a sloppy track at Gulfstream on March 6 after leading at the first point of call in both.

But there was no slowing down in the Texas Glitter as the bay colt won for the third time in seven career starts. The $45,570 firstplace check increased his bankroll to $109,702.

Warrior’s Pride is by Poseidon’s Warrior and is the first foal from the Pleasant Tap mare Sophia’s Pride. Sophia’s Pride also has a 2-year-old filly by Handsome Mike and an unnamed yearling colt by Decisive Moment. She was bred in 2021 to Curlin. ■

Florida-bred Warrior’s Pride ■ Ryan Thompson Photo