Any Limit has enough to turn back Game Face

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Any Limit avenged her recent setback at the hands of Game Face in the First Lady Handicap when she outgamed that rival through the stretch en route to a 1 1/4-length tally in Sunday's $125,000 Hurricane Bertie Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The victory was the second in the Hurricane Bertie for Any Limit, who also won the Grade 3 event in 2007.

As she did in the First Lady, Any Limit set the pace in the 6 1/2-furlong Hurricane Bertie under jockey Cornelio Velasquez. But unlike in their previous meeting, this time when Game Face ranged up along the rail to challenge turning for home, Any Limit had enough in reserve to hold off the 2-5 favorite and win going clear.

Lovely Isle finished another 6 1/4 lengths back in third, followed by Saratoga Tango and Orinoquia.

Any Limit paid $9.60 after completing the distance in 1:15.95 over a fast track.

"She's pretty special," said Allen Jerkens, who trains Any Limit for owner-breeder Joseph Shields Jr. "Not many 6-year-olds can run like that."

Jerkens said a little softer early pace likely helped his mare in Sunday's rematch with Game Face.

"She didn't have a wicked opening quarter this time," said Jerkens. "And the rail might not be that good, either."

Jerkens said that if Any Limit continues to do well, he'd likely bring her back in the Grade 2 Inside Information at seven furlongs on March 15.