The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association Florida Sire Stakes series wrapped up Nov. 29 at Gulfstream Park with a pair of homebreds taking top honors in the two $300,000 stakes for Florida-bred 2-year-olds.
John Oxley's Strategic Risk debuted an impressive winner against state-bred company at Gulfstream in June, powering to an 8 1/4-length victory at 5 furlongs on the main track, but he finished well back in three subsequent starts, including two graded stakes attempts in New York. Back at Gulfstream and routing on dirt for the first time, the Noble Bird colt finally ran back to his maiden performance, registering a resounding victory in the FTBOA Florida Sire In Reality Stakes.
Roger That Dana set the pace with a quarter in :23.54 and a half in :47.98, while Strategic Risk bided his time a few lengths off the lead in third. Around the far turn Javier Castellano and Strategic Risk began their move after 6 furlongs in 1:12.62, rolling past favored Khozalite in second and then blowing by the pacesetter heading into the stretch. Strategic Risk widened his margin with every stride, hitting the wire 9 lengths in front in a final time of 1:44.85 for 1 1/16 miles.
The Mark Casse trainee ($14.60) earned his second win in five starts for earnings of $253,550. The Town (Win Win Win ) rallied from last to finish second, and Roger That Dana (Awesome Slew ) finished third.
Video: FTBOA Florida Sire In Reality S. (BT)
Mythical Wires Field in My Dear Girl
On paper, Arindel's homebred Mythical looked the one to beat in the FTBOA Florida Sire My Dear Girl Stakes, and she fulfilled that promise with a wire-to-wire victory in Saturday's other 1 1/16-mile main track stakes for Florida-bred and -sired horses.
Bet down to $0.10-1 favoritism in the field of six juvenile fillies, the daughter of St Patrick's Day went straight to the lead and, despite jockey Emisael Jaramillo's attempts to hold her back, sped through early fractions of :22.81 and :46.58.
Love Like Lucy stayed within 2 lengths of Mythical through the first half, but quickly fell back after 6 furlongs in 1:11.86 and was overtaken by Dare Greatly (Chance It). Dare Greatly, 5 1/2 lengths back in third early, closed the gap but could get no closer than 2 1/2 lengths of Mythical at the finish.
It was another 15 1/4 lengths back to Win Bet Only (Win Win Win) in third.
Mythical ($2.20) completed the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:45.39. Trained by Jorge Delgado, the graded stakes-winning filly is now 5-0-0 in six starts with earnings of $540,750.
