Hilda's Passion Wins Hurricane Bertie

Sunday's $150,000 Hurricane Bertie S. (G3) at Gulfstream Park promised to serve up a rematch between Tar Heel Mom (Flatter) and HILDA'S PASSION (Canadian Frontier), who were separated by a neck in the January 15 Sugar Swirl S. (G3), but it turned out to be no match at all. Improving markedly in her second start back, and with a much better post position, Starlight Partners and C.E. Glasscock's Hilda's Passion ran her rivals off their feet en route to a 2 1/2-length victory. The Todd Pletcher filly put on an exhibition of speed for Javier Castellano, motoring 6 1/2 furlongs on the fast track in 1:15 3/5.

The betting public, which had sent Hilda's Passion off as the 2-1 favorite in the Sugar Swirl, stuck with her by betting her down to 7-5 favoritism this time, and she rewarded her supporters with mutuels of $4.80, $3.20 and $3.40.