FLORIDA FOCUS

Florida Focus Compiled by Brock Sheridan

Grade 3 Sweetest Chant is First Stakes Victory for Opalina

Earns $25,000 Florida-bred Win Bonus

Teneri Farm and J Stables LLC’s Opalina shot to the lead at the top of the stretch on her way to her first career stakes victory in the Grade 3 Sweetest Chant at Gulfstream Park Feb. 5. The Florida-bred daughter of Optimizer defeated eight other 3-year-old fillies who went about a mile-and-a-sixteenth on the turf in the $100,000 Sweetest Chant. She also earned a $25,000 Florida-bred win bonus that was presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.

With Luis Saez aboard again for trainer Roderick Rodriquez, Opalina broke quickly from post two but surrendered the lead to longshot Myfavoritedaughter, who took the field of nine through quarter-mile splits in :23.16 and :46.88. Saez gave Opalina her cue around the far turn as she pursued Myfavoritedaughter, who took a clear lead into the stretch. However, Opalina took over inside the final furlong and held off a late running Ambitieuse to win by a length in 1:41.30. Ambitieuse was second, a length-and-a-quarter faster than Miss You Ella in third.

They were followed in order by Myfavoritedaughter, Battle Charge, Roughly a Diamond, Hal’s Dream and Nostaglic. Opalina paid $10.60 to win.

Bred in Florida by Teneri Farm and Bernardo Alvarez Calderon, Opalina is out of the Kitten’s Joy mare Go Kitten Go and now has two wins in six starts with two seconds and a third. The $25,000 Florida-bred win bonus and the winner’s share of the Sweetest Chant purse amounted to a $84,520 payday for Opalina and increased her career bankroll to $160,770.

Go Kitten Go has also produced stakesplaced Red Hornet and another winner from three starters and four foals. n

Sweeping Move Returns Drafted to Winning Ways in Grade 3 Toboggan

Drafted went from last to first with an impressive move around the far turn before drawing away to win the Grade 3 Toboggan by four-and-a-half lengths at Aqueduct Feb. 5. The Florida-bred son of Field Commission defeated four other rivals over seven furlongs in the $145,000 Toboggan for 4-year-olds and older.

Confidently ridden by Jose Ortiz, Drafted broke evenly from post three but dropped back to last as 1-5 favorite Happy Medium led through a quarter-mile in :23.55 and the half-mile in :47.04.

Drafted had the momentum to pull away from his rivals in the run for home as Repo Rocks took over the second spot on the outside of Happy Medium in third. Drafted cruised under the wire to finish in 1:25.06 on the muddy track with Repo Rocks finishing second, six lengths ahead of Happy Medium in third. Hopeful Treasure was fourth with War Tocsin fifth.

Drafted returned $15.80 on a $2 win ticket at odds of 6-1.

Trained by David P. Duggan for Dublin Fjord Stables LLC, Racepoint Stables, Kevin D. Hilbert and Thomas E. O’Keefe, Drafted earned $82,500 for the Toboggan victory, increasing his career earnings to $844,693 from seven wins, two seconds and three thirds from 25 starts.

An 8-year-old gelding, Drafted is out of Keep the Profit, by Darn that Alarm and was bred by John Foster, Barbara Hooker and Field Commission Partnership. Keep the Profit had seven winners from nine starters and 10 foals.

Drafted twice went through the auction ring at Ocala Breeders’ Sales but did not sell as a yearling at the 2015 August Sale. However, he was purchased for $35,000 by Eoin Harty out of the Kim Harrison consignment in March of 2016. More recently, Drafted was purchased by Brian Gleeson for $10,892 at the 2017 Godolphin Racing in Dubai September Sale. n

Florida-bred Drafted n Joe Labozzetta Photo

Yes I Am Free Gives Owners, Trainer First Graded Stakes Win with Gulfstream Turf Sprint

Florida-bred Yes I Am Free and jockey Emisael Jaramillo gave trainer Laura Cazares and owners John and Paula Szalay, who race in the name of Golden Kernel Racing Stable, their first graded stakes victory by winning the $100,000 Gulfstream Turf Sprint by three-and-a-quarter lengths at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 12.

The Gulfstream Turf Sprint featured a field of seven 4-year-olds and older going

five furlongs on the turf.

In the Gulfstream Turf Sprint, Yes I Am Free launched first from the starting gate from post four with Florida-bred Warrior’s Pride, who was the second choice in the wagering at 9-2 based on his win in the $100,000 Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint two starts back, also breaking well from the inside post one.

Warrior’s Pride and Junior Alvarado sprinted to a length-and-a-half advantage on Yes I Am Free in second down the backstretch with Gear Jockey and longshot Breakthrough running together in third to their outside and another length-and-a-half back.

Warrior’s Pride maintained a slim ad-

vantage on Yes I Am Free to his outside as they turned for home and those two raced through the stretch in tandem as Belgrano, Breakthrough and Gear Jockey battled for third while two lengths farther back. Inside the final sixteenth, Yes I Am Free shook free on the outside and went on to finish in :56.07 on the firm turf, just .46 of a second off of the course record of :55.61, set by Desirable Moment in March of 2004.

Richy finished a head better than Belgrano in third followed by Warrior’s Pride, Gear Jockey, Omaha City and Breakthrough.

Yes I Am Free eventually went off at 8-1 and paid $18 to win.

Yes I Am Free was a $62,500 claim by Cazares for Golden Kernel Racing Stable in April at Gulfstream and has since run strictly in overnight handicaps and stakes having finished third in the Bob Umphey in his second start for the new connections.

Yes I Am Free now has eight wins, two seconds and three thirds from 20 starts with earnings of $360,994. As a 2-year-old, he was a $135,000 purchase by Justin Casse as an agent at the 2018 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale where he was consigned by Hawk’s Nest.

Yes I Am Free is by Uncaptured out of the Florida-bred mare Yes It’s Valid, by Yes It’s True and was bred in Florida by Sherry R. Mansfield and Kenneth H. Davis. Yes I am Free is a half-brother to Nikee Kan, who was second to Miss Auramet in the Grade 3 Ladies Turf Sprint later on the Gulfstream Park card and Yes It’s Valid has four winners from six foals. Yes It’s Valid has also produced an unraced 3-year-old colt, Excelsior Venice, by Ride On Curlin; an unnamed 2-year-old filly by Uncaptured and was bred in 2021 to Gunnevera, who stands at Pleasant Acres Stallions. n

Florida-bred Yes I Am Free n Lauren King Photo

Miss Auramet Turns the Tables to Win Ladies Turf Sprint

In her last race on Dec. 31 at Gulfstream, Florida-bred Miss Auramet finished sixth of seven as the 7-5 favorite in the $100,000 Abundantia with the trackman describing her race as a “brutal trip” in the past performance comments. Miss J McKay won the Abundantia by a length-and-a-half.

But it was clear sailing in the $100,000 Ladies Turf Sprint for Miss Auramet, who defeated six female rivals, 4-years-old and older going five furlongs on the turf at Gulfstream on Feb. 12.

Ridden by Julien Leparoux, Miss Auramet sprinted to the lead from post six and cruised through a quarter-mile in :22.79 on the firm turf. She extended to her lead throughout to finish the half-mile in :45.21 while leading by a length on her way to winning by nearly two lengths in :56.87. Florida-bred Nikee Kan, who is a half-sister to Yes I Am Free, winner of the Grade 3 Gulfstream Turf Sprint three races earlier, was second at odds of 27-1 and a length faster than Reinagol in third. Miss J McKay was fourth followed in order by Florida-bred Poseidon’s Passion, Guardian Moon and Sister Peacock.

Miss Auramet was allowed to leave the starting gate at 7-2 and paid $9.40 to win.

Owned by David Melin, Leon Ellman and Plesa’s wife, Laurie, the consistent Miss Auramet has now won 11 of 28 career starts with eight seconds and three thirds with earnings of $548,750.

She is by Uncaptured out of Hello Rosie, by Yes It’s True and was bred in Florida by Marion G. Montanari. She passed through the sales ring at Ocala Breeders’ Sales twice in her youth having sold for $42,000 to Hot Scot Racing Stable from the Summerfield consignment of Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck at the 2017 October Yearling Sale. Plesa, Ellman and Melin then purchased her for $135,000 the next year at the OBS Spring Sale where she was consigned by Julie Davies. n

Florida-bred Miss Auramet n Ryan Thompson Photo

Florida Focus Continued from page 9

Millionaire Extravagant Kid Retired

Florida-bred Extravagant Kid, owned by Virginia businessman and Colonial Downs’ all-time leading owner David Ross, has been retired from racing at the age of 9.

The Kiss the Kid gelding finished his brilliant career with $1,704,683 in purse earnings from 54 starts which includes 15 wins, 18 seconds and seven thirds. Ross and trainer Brendan P. Walsh claimed Extravagant Kid for $75,000 from breeder Frank Vicino’s Vi-

cino Racing Stables on Jan. 18, 2018 out of a victorious effort against second level optional claimers and has seen him earn about $1.5 million since.

Ross—who races in the stable name DARRS’s Inc.—with Walsh and Racing Manager James Bredin are all committed to finding the right next home for Extravagant Kid.

“We are on a mission to find him the perfect place because he has brought so much joy to everyone who has been a part of his life,” Ross said. “He will thrive in his second career, possibly as a riding horse because he loves to do trails. We want to make sure he is happy and productive going forward.”

Ross said his biggest thrill as an owner was Extravagant Kid’s victory in the $1 Million, Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint sponsored by Azizi Developments last March in Dubai.

“I’ve had a lot of nice horses over the

Florida-bred Extravagant Kid n Coady Photo years but none have been able to do what this one did—win a Grade 1, or in this case a Group 1 stakes. He’s been an unbelievably great horse to be associated with and has thrived on new adventures.” n

Chess Master Explodes to Turf Dash Victory

Chess Master posted a front-running, twoand-a-half-length victory from Xy Speed in the $100,000 Turf Dash Stakes for older males going five furlongs on the Tampa Bay Downs grass course on Feb. 19.

Trained and owned by Kerri Raven, who claimed the son of Overdriven for $32,000 in January of 2021, Chess Master covered the distance in :55.56 under jockey Jesus Castanon.

The Turf Dash victory was the first in a stakes for Raven, who has saddled Chess Master for seven victories from 11 starts since the claim. Bred in Florida by Brenda K. Jones, Chess Master is out of the Chester House mare Chesty. He earned $60,000, which included the $15,000 in Florida-bred bonus money provided by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.

The Connector finished third in the nine-horse field, while never threatening the top two. They were followed in order by Florida-bred Discreet Tune, Backtohisroots, 2-1 favorite Bad Beat Brian, Skippy’s Strike, Jazzy Times and Hard Count. Baby Boomer and Diamond Oops were scratched from the race.

Discreet Tune also earned $1,250 in Florida-bred bonus money in addition to his $5,000 in purse money for finishing fourth.

Chess Master has now won 11 of 27 starts with two seconds and three thirds with career earnings of $230,755. n

Medina Spirit Buried at Old Friends

Old Friends, the thoroughbred retirement facility in Georgetown, Ky., announced on Feb. 22 that the farm has been chosen as the final resting place of multiple graded stakes-winning Florida-bred Medina Spirit.

Medina Spirit’s ashes will be interred in the Nikki Bacharach Memorial Garden at

Old Friends alongside champions such as Kentucky Derby (Grade 1)-winners Charismatic (1999) and War Emblem (2002), both of whom were retired to Old Friends following breeding careers; as well as Eclipse award-winner Hidden Lake and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)-winner Alphabet Soup.

Trained by Bob Baffert and owned by Zedan Racing, Medina Spirit had a short but brilliant career on the track.

“The Zedan Racing family was deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our beloved Medina Spirit,” Amr Zedan said. “He brought us great joy during his time, and we will forever cherish his spectacular win in the Kentucky Derby. Medina Spirit truly had the

Florida-bred Medina Spirit n Shamala Hanley Photo

heart of champion and it is very comforting to know that he will be laid to rest with many racing’s greats and the wonderful people at Old Friends Farm.”

“We’re very grateful to Mr. Zedan and Bob Baffert for allowing us the honor and privilege of burying Medina Spirit’s ashes at Old Friends,” Old Friends president Michael Blowen said.

“His gravestone, which will be a constant reminder of his spectacular achievements, will be placed next to Charismatic and War Emblem in the Nikki Bacharach Memorial Garden where his legion of fans can pay their respects.” n

Officiating Continues Winning Pattern With Tom Fool Victory

In five starts since a three-and-a-halflength victory in the $75,000 Bear’s Den at Gulfstream Park on Sept. 5, Vegso Racing Stable’s homebred Officiating has won every other race including the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector two starts prior to the Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap at Aqueduct on March 5. After the Bear’s Den, Officiating did not respond to the Gulfstream Park Tapeta while out of the money in the $65,000 Showing Up won by King of Dreams on Nov. 6 and most recently was third behind winner Speaker’s Corner in the Grade 3 Fred Hooper going a mile at Gulfstream on Jan. 29.

But the Florida-bred trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. added another victory in that sequence in the $194,000 Tom Fool with a five-and-a-half-length win ahead of defending champion Chateau. In his first trip at six furlongs, Officiating won in a time of 1:12.22 on the fast track.

The Tom Fool had a field of five 4-yearolds and older with both Chateau and Officiating toting the high weight assignments of 123 pounds.

Race favorite Chateau, who was bet down to 4-5, jumped out on top from post five and quickly had daylight on Officiating and Prime Factor together in second as Repo Rocks missed the break from the inside post.

After clicking off a quarter-mile in :22.66 Chateau turned for home while still in front after a :46.19 half-mile but Officiating began to loom as a threat on the outside. Down the stretch, Officiating began to wear down Chateau and took over inside the final furlong to win with ease while Chateau held second, a length-and-a-quarter faster than Repo Rocks in third. Prime Factor and Timeless Bounty completed the order of finish.

Officiating went to the post at 11-2 and returned $13.40 to win.

It was the fourth victory in 16 starts for Officiating, who also has four seconds and three thirds. The $110,000 first-place check in the Tom Fool increased his earnings to $331,097.

Officiating is by Blame out of Come a Callin, by Dixie Union. Come a Callin has also produced Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1)-winner and Eclipse Award champion Caledonia Road; The Vid Stakes-winner One of a Kind, both Florida-breds; and 3-yearold Celestial, who is unplaced in one start. She also has an unnamed 2-year-old colt by Munnings and was bred to Quality Road in 2022. n

Florida-bred Officiating n Chelsea Durand Photo

Spirit Wind Blows Away Rivals in Any Limit

Tops Florida-bred Trifecta

Jacks or Better Farm Inc.’s homebred Spirit Wind erupted from post five and was never threatened as the Florida-bred filly put in a commanding performance in winning the $100,000 Any Limit Stakes by two-anda-half lengths at Gulfstream Park March 19. Ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Spirit Wind topped a Florida-bred trifecta in the six furlong Any Limit for 3-year-old fillies, with One Identity finishing second, a length-anda-quarter in front of Strategic Bird in third.

One Identity was previously undefeated in two starts while Strategic Bird won the Sandpiper at Tampa Bay Downs two starts back in December.

Sent off as the 6-5 favorite after breaking her maiden by 15 ½ lengths in her second career start against Florida-bred special weight maiden fillies at Gulfstream on Feb. 18 over six furlongs, Spirit Wind was almost as dominant in the Any Limit as she had a length advantage on Strategic Bird while sprinting through the first quarter-mile in :21.94. She relaxed very little while completing the halfmile in :44.39 as she extended her lead to two lengths turning for home as Strategic Bird continued to give chase in second and One Identity tried to close from third.

But there was no catching Spirit Wind, who finished the six furlongs in 1:11.43.

You Look Cold was fourth followed by

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