American Frolic surges to Miss Gracie triumph

American Frolic closed with authority to win the $75,000 Miss Gracie by 1 1/2 lengths over Midnight Soiree on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

It was another neck back to Florida Fuego in third.

The Miss Gracie was a 7 1/2-furlong turf race for 3-year-old fillies.

American Frolic ($6.80) broke with the field and settled off the pace, trailing as favorite Treasure for Gold set fractions of 26.05 seconds for the opening quarter and 49.88 for the half-mile. American Frolic advanced along the rail on the final turn, angled out five wide into the stretch, and proceeded to run down the leaders while covering the distance on firm turf in 1:31.58.

Miguel Vasquez was aboard for trainer David Fawkes.

Fawkes also trains third-place finisher Florida Fuego.

American Frolic was winning her second straight race, following an optional $75,000 claiming turf route in which she closed from last June 28 at Gulfstream. She is a daughter of Blame and races for her breeder, Stride Rite Racing Stable.

American Frolic, now 3 for 13, is out of the mare Frolic’s Revenge, a multiple stakes winner who earned $346,075.

The race was delayed due to the scratch of Dahlonega at the starting gate. Lisa Limon and Youvegottopaytopla were scratched from the Miss Gracie prior to the start of the card Saturday.