Gemonteer leads throughout in Not Surprising Stakes

Gelfenstein Farm’s Gemonteer led throughout Saturday’s $100,000 Not Surprising to pull off a mild 8-1 surprise in the mile turf stakes for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park. 

The Not Surprising co-headlined Saturday’s 12-race card with the $100,000 Martha Washington for fillies. 

Trained by Jena Antonucci, Gemonteer made a winning stakes debut in his third lifetime start, breaking alertly and setting fractions of 23.30 (seconds), 47.25 and 1:10.89 for six furlongs on his way to a 4 3/4-length victory in 1:35.61.

The son of Distorted Humor, who won his debut in a $50,000 claiming race April 29 before finishing second in a June 15 optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream, was ridden by Miguel Vasquez, who recorded three victories, including a second-placed-first success aboard Camilla Princess in the Martha Washington. Shana Nova, also owned by Gelfenstein Farm, finished second under Nik Juarez at 11-1, a nose in front of Tactical Pursuit. Favored Coltandmississippi finished off the board.

Camila Princess Awarded Win in $100,000 Martha Washington

Grupo 7C Racing Stable’s Camila Princess, the 1-2 favorite in a field of eight 3-year-old fillies, was awarded the victory in Saturday’s co-featured $100,000 Martha Washington through the disqualification of first-place finisher Midnight Soiree.

Midnight Soiree, the 4-1 second choice who ran a mile over a firm turf course in 1:38.84 under Luca Panici, was placed second.

Camila Princess trailed the field heading into the backstretch as R Paper Chaser set a slow pace, posting fractions of 25.56 (seconds), 55.05 and 1:15.29 for three quarters of a mile. After advancing on the outside along the backstretch, Camila Princess was sent to the outside of Midnight Soiree on the turn into the homestretch to set up a furious stretch duel. After the two closers raced on even terms in mid-stretch, Midnight Soiree fought off Camila Princess to the wire to prevail by three-quarters of a length. However, a stewards inquiry and an objection Miguel Vasquez, who checked his mount later after brushing with his rival, Camila Princess was declared the winner.

“My horse showed a lot of heart,” Gonzalez said. “She ran a good race with the early fractions going so slow.”

Camila Princess won the May 5th Honey Ryder Stakes at Gulfstream before finishing seventh, beaten by four lengths, in the June 7 Wonder Again (G3) at Belmont Park.

Whiteheelgirl finished third under jockey Samy Camacho, 1 ¼ lengths behind Camila Princess.