Heart to Heart notches Grade 1 in Gulfstream Park Turf Stakes

In his seventh Grade 1 attempt, Heart to Heart finally broke through and won at the top level in Saturday’s $300,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Stakes, finding the wire just in time under regular jockey Julien Leparoux.

Heart to Heart, who was previously Grade 1 placed four times, picked up his 14th win from 34 starts, an impressive return for a horse who cost owner Terry Hamilton only $25,348 as a Canadian yearling.

The victory came in his typically front-running style.

"The elusive Grade 1!" exclaimed trainer Brian Lynch. "Watching him come back in and blowing as hard as he blew after that race, he gave it his all to win the race. He's an absolute deserved horse to have a '1' next to his name. It's nice to get it done here, because he's always loved this track."

Heart to Heart easily took the lead from post one. One Go All Go was also quick to reach the front in front of Hi Happy, Kurilov and Money Multiplier. Heart to Heart led opening fractions of :24.15, :48.74 and 1:12.08, having it his way on the lead throughout the 1 1/8 miles turf race.

Turning for home, Leparoux shook the reins and set Heart to Heart down for the drive. Kurilov threatened late in the stretch, but Heart to Heart was finally able to notch that Grade 1 win, stopping the clock in 1:47.64 a neck in front.

"He broke good and I got to the lead, and I was pretty comfortable the whole way," said Leparoux. "I'm glad the wire was coming, too, though because they were coming fast at the end. The horse he tries, he tries hard, and he deserves that Grade 1 win and we finally got one. We're all very happy about it."

Kurilov and Hi Happy stuck close to finish second and third, with One Go All Go, Channel Maker, Revved Up, Money Multiplier and March completing the order of finish.