Bsharpsonata wins third straight Florida stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Bsharpsonata's march through south Florida continued Sunday when the 3-year-old filly registered a two-length victory over 3-5 favorite Game Face in the $150,000 Davona Dale Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Bsharpsonata, a homebred daughter of Pulpit, added the Grade 2 Davona Dale to her earlier victories this season in the Tropical Park Oaks at Calder and the Grade 2 Forward Gal. Trained by Tim Salzman for the Clover Leaf Farms II Inc., Bsharpsonata ($7.60) covered a mile in 1:37.97 over a fast but somewhat cuppy racetrack.

"She's unbelievable," said Salzman, who earned the first graded victory of his training career when Bsharpsonata captured the Forward Gal. "I was a little nervous when she was shut off all the way down the backstetch but when she turned for home she just unloaded."

Salzman said if all goes well, Bsharpsonata would make her next start in the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland on April 5.

With regular rider Eric Camacho aboard, Bsharpsonata rated off the early pace while saving ground down the backstretch, steadied briefly when caught behind the tiring American County on the turn, then split the leaders once clear for the drive to win going away. Game Face raced in perfect striking position, joined Robbie's Gal to challenge for command in early stretch, but proved no match for the winner while drifting near the end. Robbie's Gal, the longest price in the field of six fillies at 17-1, finished another half-length back in third.