Gulfstream: Civetta wins Wait a While Stakes on opening day

Godolphin homebred Civetta split horses at the top of the stretch and held off 30-1 long shot Winning Streep through the final eighth of a mile to register a popular, neck victory Thursday’s in the listed, $115,000 Wait a While Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

The 7 1/2-furlong feature for 2-year-old fillies going two turns on the grass headlined a special Thanksgiving program that marked the opening of Gulfstream’s 2024-25 championship meet.

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Favored at 4-5 in a field of 11, Civetta ($3.80) gave jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., chasing a track-record sixth championship-meet riding title, his third win of the day. The winning time was 1:28.50 over a firm turf course.

“I had a beautiful trip,” Ortiz said. “The trainer (Brendan Walsh) just told me to keep her relaxed and covered up. It was her first time going two turns. She relaxed beautifully going into the first turn. The trainer said she would be there when I asked her. I took my time. I asked her turning for home and she did the rest.”

Ortiz settled Civetta in third along the inside as Obliging, breaking from the rail, got out quickly and went the opening quarter-mile in 23.90 seconds pressed to her outside by Sweet Sash. Its Witchcraft, who raced in fourth early, moved up to challenge the leader following a half in 47.81 seconds as Ortiz sat behind with plenty of horse.

Once straightened for home Ortiz was able to navigate Civetta between It’s Witchcraft and Ramsey Pond and accelerate to the lead as Winning Streep launched her bid on the far outside. The two matched strides as they separated from the field past the sixteenth pole, but Civetta held sway, and Ramsey Pond took third over It’s Witchcraft with Bellavinino fifth.

It was the second win from four starts and the first in a stakes for Civetta, a daughter of Into Mischief out of Medaglia d’Oro mare Sentiero Italia. In her prior start she took a late lead but got nailed at the wire in the six-furlong Matron (G3) on Oct. 6 at Aqueduct, beaten by a neck.

“She ran well and did it well. That filly came to her a little bit, but I think she still hadn’t gotten into her rhythm by then,” Walsh said. “She looked like she was always going to hold her. It was great to get a stakes win for her from that family. It’s fantastic, really. She’s had a good little 2-year-old year, so hopefully we’ve got plenty to build on for next year with her.”