Salty's sustained moved wins Gulfstream Park Oaks

After losing to her in their first meeting, Salty turned the tables on Nonna Bella en route to earning some all important points towards the Kentucky Oaks via a victory in the $250,000 Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks.

Breaking second last in the field of 8, Salty spotted the leaders several lengths early, while Conquest Sorceror from the inside and Modacious from the outside were hustled out of the gate. However, it was Nonna Bella who nabbed the lead and sprinted out to set an uncontested pace. Jordan’s Henny was also up close early with Forward Gal winner Tequilita settling toward the back.

Cruising along on about a 3 length lead, Nonna Bella set splits of :23.26 and :46.72. Modacious continued along in second with Jordan’s Henny just behind her.

Beginning in the backstretch, Salty and jockey Joel Rosario began making a sustained move. By the time they hit the far turn, Salty has moved into third and was challenging for the lead. Wheeling wide off the turn, Salty had the lead but was proving green as she was unable to keep a straight path.

Despite drifting in the stretch, Salty pulled away from her rivals and crossed the wire an easy 4 ¼-length winner in 1:42.91 for the 1 1/16 mile event. Tequilita closed to grab second, and Jordan’s Henny was third. Nonna Bella completed the superfecta, and the order of finish was completed by Modacious, Conquest Sorceror, Spring Mist, and Shezaprado.

Off even money favoritism, Salty paid $4.00, $2.80, and $2.20. Tequilita, tabbed at 7-2 odds, returned $3.40 and $2.80 for the place, and 6-1 shot Jordan’s Henny returned $3.20 for the show. The $2 exacta paid $13.40, the $0.50 trifecta returned $8.20, and the $0.10 superfecta was worth $4.69.

Winning trainer Mark Casse stated after the race, “We were back a little farther than I thought we would be. You’re always worried when you think a filly would run two turns when you look at her physique and everything, but Joel (Rosario) got her moving three-quarters of a mile out and that’s a long, sustained run -- I was a little nervous about it. Even afterward, Joel said, ‘Maybe I moved a little early.’ But she’s extremely talented as everyone saw today. We’re excited just to have her."

Winning rider Joel Rosario agreed with Casse’s assessment. “I thought that there would be some speed, and it was exactly how it happened. I got her going a little early because of the first wire. She responded very, very nice. The more you ride her the more she keeps giving it to you. I felt confident in the last turn when she was trying to get up and getting close to the leader,” he said. 

By Quality Road and out of the Dixie Union mare Theycallmeladyluck, Salty was bred by Seclusive Farm LLC and Prince Farm, LLC. She was privately purchased by Gary Barber, Baccari Racing Stable LLC, and Chester Prince. After dropping her debut to Nonna Bella, Salty has now won 2 straight, included her graded stakes debut in today’s Gulfstream Park Oaks. That puts her career mark at 3: 2-1-0 with total purse earnings of $180,020.

In regards to adding Salty to their roster, Casse explained, “We were impressed with her first start. She ran the same day that Classic Empire ran and that evening I called Gary and I said, ‘I saw a filly that I really like run today,’ and I told him who and he said, ‘I liked her, too.’ We started pursuing her and Gary bought part of her with the current owners and breeder.”

If all goes well, the Kentucky Oaks will be next up for Salty.