Swinger's Party Right at Home in Millions Distaff Preview

Entering the Sunshine Millions Preview Day program, trainer Marty Wolfson knew that Swinger’s Party loved to run both fresh and at home.

The 4-year-old filly proved him right, taking over the lead after six furlongs and holding off long shots Flutterby and Don’tcallmecharley to win the Distaff Preview by three-quarters of a length on Saturday at Gulfstream Park West.

It was the first start in 103 days for Swinger’s Party, who ran last of seven in the Grade 3 Shuvee Handicap in late July at Saratoga Race Course. That was the first start outside Florida for her since Wolfson took over her training in the fall of 2012.

“It was a very tough race up there,” Wolfson said. “She just loves this track. She won two in a row last year [by open lengths], so she loves it here. She’s very, very good when she’s fresh and she comes from off the pace now. She didn’t used to; she used to go right to the front.

Instead it was another Wolfson-trained horse, 7-5 favorite Devil’s Cave, who took the field through an opening quarter-mile in 23.73 seconds and a half in 47.56, with Puddifoot in close pursuit.

Jockey Edgard Zayas kept Swinger’s Party in the clear on the outside, and took over the top spot when the two leaders began to fade. Zayas kept Swinger’s Party focused down the stretch as Flutterby (15-1) and Don’tcallmecharley (30-1) came on to challenge.

“We had planned to stalk the pace and led the speed go out of there,” Zayas said. “We had hoped Devil’s Cave would get an easy lead but it wasn’t like that. [Puddifoot] kept fighting her, so it set up to be perfect for Swinger’s Party. Once she got to the lead she was kind of waiting for horses, but I took her out a little bit to let her look for horses and she kept on going. She finished up strong.”

Swinger’s Party ran one mile in 1:40.59 and paid $10.40 to win. Flutterby, Don’tcallmecharley, Quinnkat, Devil’s Cave, Winning for Sarah, Holiday Magic and Puddifoot completed the order of finish.

A Grade 2 winner for Wolfson, Devil’s Cave was making her first start since finishing third in the Grade 1 La Troienne on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

“Devil’s Cave needed the race. She hadn’t run for a long time,” Wolfson said. “I’m not happy the way she had to go 47 and 23. I thought they’d go a little slower; that always takes a toll. She’s one of my favorite horses.”