Breeze On By gives Nicks fourth straight Affirmed victory

It was an afternoon of fours for Stonehedge and trainer Ralph Nicks on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Nicks won his fourth straight Affirmed division of the Florida Sire Stakes when Breeze On By darted home by 7 1/2 lengths in the seven-furlong race for 2-year-olds. The horse’s owner, Stonehedge, swept the top four spots in the race, which had a purse of $200,000.

The Affirmed was one of the card's four stakes, all for 2-year-olds. The $200,000 Susan’s Girl division of the Florida Sire Stakes went to Princess Secret ($4.80). There also was a pair of $75,000 stakes at a mile on turf.

Breeze On By ($3.60) improved his career record to 3 for 3 when he tracked Gatsby through an opening quarter in 22.14 seconds, took over through a half-mile in 44.22, and went on to cover the distance on a fast track in 1:22.75.

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Emisael Jaramillo was aboard Breeze On By. Nicks trainees Big Daddy Dave and Seazan finished a respective second and third. Top Boss, trained by Kathleen O’Connell, was fourth to complete the superfecta for Stonehedge. It paid $24.63.

Stonehedge has now won 15 races in the Florida Sire Stakes series, according to the publicity department at Gulfstream. Nicks previously won the Affirmed with Soutache in 2017, Garter and Tie in 2018, and Liam’s Lucky Charm in 2019, according to Gulfstream.

Breeze On By has now won the first two races in the Florida Sires Stakes series for colts and geldings, having accounted for the $100,000 Dr. Fager division on Aug. 1. The next Florida Sires Stakes for his division moves to two turns, for the $400,000 In Reality at 1 1/16 miles Sept. 26. Breeze On By, who is a son of Cajun Breeze, has now earned $233,000.

Princess Secret was always prominent for a 3/4-length win over Oh Deborah in the Susan’s Girl. It was another four lengths back to Go Jo Jo Go in third.

Princess Secret attended a half-mile in 45.22 seconds before going on to cover the seven furlongs in 1:23.02. Miguel Vasquez was aboard the daughter of Khozan for owner and trainer Daniel Pita. Princess Secret won her maiden earlier this year at Gulfstream.

Spanish Loveaffair ($3) backed up an 11-length debut win with a stakes victory in the Sharp Susan. She stalked fractions of 23.14 seconds for the opening quarter, 46.57 for the half-mile and 1:10.70 for six furlongs before going on to a 1 1/4-length win over Director’s Cut. Spanish Loveaffair covered the distance on firm ground in 1:35.03. Victor Lebron was aboard the daughter of Karakontie for the partnership of Eclipse, Hernon, and Barber and trainer Mark Casse.

* Hot Blooded ($8) was a 2 1/4-length winner over Boca Boy in the Proud Man. It was another 2 3/4 lengths back in third to Castle King. The winner stalked the pace, took over in the lane, and covered the distance on firm ground in 1:36.68. Jaramillo was aboard the son of Declaration of War for Palm Beach Racing and Carlos David.

* The Rainbow 6 had a mandatory payout Saturday, with $2.4 million in new money bet into the pool, according to Gulfstream. The winning numbers were 6-1-5-5-6-6, and the 20-cent bet returned $288.90.