Florida Sire Stakes Eligibles Win Maiden Races
Florida Sire Stakes eligibles Wild Pussycat and Bay Runner captured the two $65,000 Lasix-free events for 2-year-old maidens Sunday at Gulfstream Park.
Red Oak Stable’s Wild Pussycat ($4) broke alertly from the starting gate and was never threatened thereafter to register a 4 1/4-length triumph in the eighth race, covering 4 ½ furlongs in 52.81 seconds under Hall of Fame rider Edgar Prado.
The son of Wildcat Heir, who had finished third in his debut on May 29, is trained by Wesley Ward.
“I was high on this horse. This is a special colt. The Brunettis were nice enough to send me more than a half dozen horses and this guy from Day 1 was the pick of the litter. There’s a lot more to come from this guy.”
Bay Runner ($7.20) registered a front-running victory in the fourth race, the first of the $65,000 Lasix-free races on the 10-race card.
The son of Hear No Evil, who ran 4 ½ furlongs in 52.57 seconds under apprentice Tyler Gaffalione, showed speed before tiring late in his debut on Jun. 21.
“We’re very pleased with him. He got away from the gates good. Last time, he had the far outside post and didn’t break as sharp. We had to use him to get position and he kind of flattened at the end of it,” Werner said. “This time he looked good, had a good post position and held on.”
The son of Hear No Evil was purchased for just $5,200 by Werner and Philip Stathatos at the Ocala 2-year-olds in training sale in May.
Werner said Bay Runner will likely return in the $200,000 Dr. Fager Division of the Florida Sire Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Aug. 8.
Live racing at Gulfstream will resume Thursday with a new post time of 1:15 p.m.
Thursday’s 20-cent Rainbow 6 Carryover Jackpot Pool stands at $19,605.87.
Source: Gulfstream Park