Awesome Banner heads cast of eight in Foolish Pleasure

Jacks or Better Farm’s Awesome Banner heads a cast of eight sophomores in the $150,000 Florida Sire Foolish Pleasure Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.

 

The Florida-bred colt displayed a new dimension in his most recent outing a month ago when he sat just off the pacesetters before rallying in the stretch to land the $150,000 Prized division of the Florida Sire Stakes. After that effort, Awesome Banner returned to train in Ocala, where he had previously been sent for a change of scenery. 

 

“It seemed to work, so if something works, you stick with it,” trainer Mark Casse said. “He’s been doing very well.”

 

An impressive winner of the $100,000 Hutcheson Stakes (G3) and $200,000 Swale Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream in his first two outings this year for trainer Stanley Gold, Awesome Banner tested the Triple Crown trail, but failed to threaten in two straight starts and was shortened up when he was transferred to Casse’s barn. He scored in the $75,000 Big Cypress Stakes on June 24 prior to his runner-up effort in the $150,000 Carry Back Stakes on July 2.

 

The Prized marked the second time that Awesome Banner had won at seven furlongs, and he will attempt a one-turn mile in the Foolish Pleasure. 

 

“It’s a bit of a concern—his two route races were kind of ugly, but it may just be the two turns,” Casse admitted. “I think that with the way he’s run recently he shouldn’t have any issues with the mile. But he’s gotten where he’ll relax a little bit. I think he’s matured.”

 

Awesome Banner drew post seven in the eight-horse field and will be ridden once more by Tyler Gaffalione.

 

Kathy Machesky’s Dream of Me surged past Awesome Banner in the Unbridled on August 6, and was a game third last time in the Prized. Conditioned by Anna Varsi, the High Cotton colt will have Juan Leyva in the irons when he breaks from post four.

 

Champion Equine’s Mr. Kisses, who battled bravely throughout in the Unbridled before finishing second by a neck, will challenge Awesome Banner once again in the Foolish Pleasure. The son of Big Drama will likely show speed once more from post two. Jockey Luca Panici has the mount for trainer David Braddy.