Gulfstream Park: Golden Mystery enhances worth at Fasig-Tipton sale by winning Hurricane Bertie

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Golden Mystery warmed up for her long van ride to Kentucky on Monday morning with a convincing 3 1/2- length victory over Fantasy of Flight in Sunday’s $150,000 Hurricane Bertie at Gulfstream Park.

Golden Mystery is cataloged to sell Monday in the Kentucky mixed sale at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington. She ended her association with her current owner, Farnsworth Stables LLC, with two convincing stakes victories. Golden Mystery also captured the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint by 5 1/4 lengths three weeks earlier.

Golden Mystery, ridden by Luis Saez, forced the issue from the outset of the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie, stalking defending champion R. Holiday Mood pace to the stretch. Golden Mystery readily shook free turning for home, quickly opened a commanding advantage, and was not seriously threatened thereafter.

Fantasy of Flight tracked the early leaders while saving ground to the quarter pole, swung outside for the drive but proved no match for the winner. Nakano, the winner’s uncoupled mate from the barn of trainer Marty Wolfson, rallied mildly to be third. Wolfson entered four horses in the race but scratched Spectacular Sky and Starship Truffles.

Emma’s Encore, the only Grade 1 winner in the field and runner-up to Golden Mystery in the Sunshine Millions, finished fifth.

Golden Mystery completed 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.96 and paid $7.20 as the tepid favorite in a field of nine fillies and mares.

“We weren’t sure we were going to run,” said Wolfson. “I sent her home to Farnsworth Farm for four or five days since she was going to the sale. When I found out Dust and Diamonds got hurt, I told the owners I wanted to bring her back for this race.”

Golden Mystery finished a well-beaten second behind Dust and Diamonds in the Grade 3 Sugar Swirl in her 2012 finale.

“I think she’s a Breeders’ Cup type,” said Wolfson. “The older she gets, the better she’s gotten.”