Whiskey Sunrise headlines trio of sharp maiden winners at Gulfstream

Shadybrook Farm Inc.’s Whiskey Sunrise ($4.80) captured the first of three well-stocked maiden special weight events on Sunday’s Gulfstream program, dazzling six rivals with a 4 ¾-length victory in the fourth race, a six-furlong dash for Florida-bred 3-year-olds.

Trained by Michael Yates, the homebred son of Cajun Breeze pressed the pace along the backstretch before pulling away to a dominating victory in 1:11 under Miguel Vasquez.

Whiskey Sunrise, who was making his first start since finishing a close second in his debut in April 2019, is a full-brother to Cajun Firecracker, a winner of the 2018 Florida Sire Stakes Dr. Fager.

Pick Five Racing LLC’s Saratoga Affair ($9.40) gave trainer Chad Brown his second 3-year-old debut winner in two days in race No. 5, a six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up. The daughter of Paynter rallied from far back under Edgard Zayas to score by 1 ½ lengths in 1:11.78.

Ron Paolucci Racing LLC’s Mylastfirstkiss broke thru to graduate in her eighth career start in the sixth race, a mile race for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up. The Peter Walder-trained 3-year-old daughter of Flatter pressed the pace into the stretch under Tyler Gaffalione before drawing clear by 2 ½ lengths in 1:36.12.

In race No. 11, a six-furlong optional claiming allowance for fillies and mares, Todd Pletcher-trained horses finished 1-2 with Varanasi ($27.40) closing with a rush to edge Guacamole at the wire. Varanasi, a 5-year-old daughter of Jimmy Creed who was coming off an eight-month layoff, gave jockey Edgar Zayas his third winner of the day while covering six furlongs in 1:10.90. Zayas, the defending Spring Meet titlist, also scored aboard Saratoga Affair in race No. 4 and Corey Gal ($10.80) in the ninth race.