Chance It, Lenzi's Lucky Lady deliver in Florida Sire Stakes

Favorites came through Saturday at Gulfstream Park when Chance It and Lenzi’s Lucky Lady opened the 38th annual Florida Sire Stakes series by dominating their six-furlong races for 2-year-olds.

In the $100,000 Dr. Fager, Chance It steadfastly maintained his ground after breaking from the rail prior to pulling away to a 3 1/4-length triumph over Liam’s Lucky Charm. The winner paid $2.40 after finishing in 1:11.22 over a sealed track rated good. It was another 10 1/4 lengths back to third-finisher Absolute Grit in a field of seven.

Chance It, a bay colt by Currency Swap, is owned by the Shooting Star Thoroughbreds partnership managed by Mary Lightner. Edgard Zayas was up for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

“He was much the best,” said Zayas. “It was incredible.”

“The phone has been ringing a few times,” said Lightner, referring to outside inquiries, but “it’s hard to get a really good horse. So that’s the direction we decided to go – to keep him and see what we can do in the Sire Stakes.”

“The horse is going to have a bright future,” said Joseph.

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Nearly four hours elapsed before the filly counterpart to the Dr. Fager, the $100,000 Desert Vixen, was run. During that time, heavy rains came down, forcing the remaining turf races to be run on a sloppy main track. This was the fourth straight day that turf races at Gulfstream had to be shifted because of weather.

Lenzi’s Lucky Lady remained unbeaten in three starts with a big looping move in the $100,000 Desert Vixen. Ridden by Jairo Rendon, the Stonehedge LLC homebred returned $5.60 after finishing in 1:13.55 over the slop.

Ms Big Spring and Two Sixty were participants in a hotly contested pace while Rendon maneuvered Lenzi’s Lucky Lady into a clear outside path leaving the half-mile pole. By the time the field of nine straightened for home, it was all over, with Sweetheart Deal rallying to get second, 4 1/2 lengths behind the winner and another seven lengths before Two Sixty.

“I knew there was going to be a lot of speed in the race, that they were going to fight for the lead,” said Rendon. “So I said I've got to take my filly a little bit back. That worked perfect for her.”

“Jairo did a great job with her,” said O’Connell. “She’s like some of the other fillies in the family – she can be a little difficult.”

Lenzi’s Lucky Lady opened her career with two June wins at Gulfstream, the latest coming in the Golden Isles. The bay filly is by With Distinction out of Blue Eyed Sweetie, a two-time stakes winner in 2010 for Stonehedge and O’Connell.

First run in 1982 at Calder (now Gulfstream West), the Sire Stakes series is conducted under the auspices of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association. The races are restricted to 2-year-olds sired by qualifying Florida stallions.

Subsequent dates in the $1.4 million series are Aug. 31, when the $200,000 Affirmed and $200,000 Susan’s Girl are run at seven furlongs, and Sept. 28, when the $400,000 In Reality and $400,000 My Dear Girl are run at 1 1/16 miles.

► The Rainbow 6, held on races 8-13, carried over again, with the jackpot into Sunday standing at $442,830. Winning 20-cent tickets Saturday were worth $3,273 apiece. The Rainbow 6 has not been swept by a solo winner since July 6.