Watchyourownbobber Shows Up at Gulfstream Park West

Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Watchyourownbobber took the lead out of the gate and held off a late challenge from Solemn Tribute to capture the $75,000 Showing Up by a half-length Saturday at Gulfstream Park West.

It was the first career stakes victory for the 3-year-old son of Hard Spun and came just hours after the Ramsey-owned Stephanie’s Kitten upset the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) at Keeneland Race Course.

“He’s a nice horse and he gave me a nice kick,” said winning jockey Eddie Castro, who provided trainer Mike Maker with a sweep of the Saturday stakes races at Gulfstream West. “He’s a beautiful horse. It turned out to be a pretty good race.”

Second in the Jefferson Cup (G3) in his previous start, Watchyourownbobber ($16.40) broke on top from post six and cruised through a quarter-mile in 24.23 seconds, a half in 48.46 and six furlongs in 1:11.98 under mild pressure from multiple graded stakes winner Bluegrass Cat.

Watchyourownbobber was still in control as Bluegrass Singer began to drop back and multiple stakes winner My Point Exactly and Solemn Tribute moved in to challenge. Castro extended his advantage after turning for home and had plenty left to withstand Solemn Tribute’s late run, running one mile on a firm turf course in 1:36.35.

“The horse broke sharp and just relaxed,” Castro said. “When the other horses came up to him around the three-eighths (pole), he responded with a nice finish.”

My Point Exactly finished third, followed by Abounding Legacy, $1.15 million yearling purchase Tennessee, Roll On the Navajo, Prince Vincenzo, 2-1 favorite Courtier and Bluegrass Singer.

Making his debut at Gulfstream Park West, Watchyourownbobber improved his record to 4-2-1 from 10 starts with purse earnings of $170,725.

 

Calumet Farm’s Susie Bee found a seam along the hedge in mid-stretch and sprinted clear to win the $75,000 Cellars Shiraz by 2 ¾ lengths and give Maker a sweep of Saturday’s stakes.

 

Sent off at 22-1 in a field of 14 3-year-old fillies, Susie Bee ($47.80) settled well back off a pace of 24.63 seconds, 48.95 and 1:13.56 set by 5-2 favorite Quiet Kitten, tracked intently by Little Bit Lovely. Under patient handling from jockey Antonio Gallardo, Susie Bee found a clear opening as the field turned for home and took advantage, completing the one mile in 1:37.97. Quiet Kitten emerged from a blanket finish to get second, with Aljalela third.

It was the first stakes win in three tries for Susie Bee and third career victory, all in South Florida. She broke her maiden April 12 and was a head winner of an optional claiming allowance July 30, both at Gulfstream Park.