Gulfstream Park: Coarsegold elevated to first in Secret Grace

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - It took 94 seconds to run Sunday’s $55,000 Secret Grace Stakes at Gulfstream Park. It took an additional 12 minutes to declare a winner.

Though Swear Me In crossed the finish line first by three-quarters of a length, there were two jockey objections - but amazingly no inquiry - lodged against her and jockey Elvis Trujillo. After a lengthy review, the stewards disqualified Swear Me In from first and placed her third behind Coarsegold, who had finished second at 10-1 under Joe Bravo, and Coffee Clique, the 4-5 favorite under Joe Rocco Jr., who crossed the finish line third. Bravo and Rocco both claimed foul.

The incident in question came approaching the top of the stretch when Swear Me In, who had gotten shuffled back to fourth after dueling for the lead, attempted to move off the rail. When Trujillo guided her off the hedge, it forced Bravo to steady while getting carried out. Coffee Clique, With Sugar On Top, and Fab Flowers were also carried out.

Street Gem had the lead in midstretch, but Swear Me In collard her in deep stretch while outfinishing Coarsegold, who finished second by one length over Coffee Clique.

“I thought she took the worst of it. She clearly would have been closer had it not happened,” Mark Hennig, the trainer of Coarsegold, said. “I was very proud of her for re-rallying. She was sitting in there waiting to pounce. She got carried out pretty good. Her head went up in the air and I thought she was going to clip heels for a second. I’m relieved it all worked out.”

Jane Cibelli, the trainer of Swear Me In, said she thought her horse was clear when the other horses bolted.

“She came out but they had already bolted when she came through,” Cibelli said. “It is what it is, but I’m not happy about it. I just thought she was clear. I’m shocked they took her down.”

Coarsegold, a daughter of Giant’s Causeway owned by Walter Burris, returned $22 to win.