Chile imports lead closing day of Royal Palm meet
Millie is not the only filly from Chile in Sunday’s closing-day feature at Gulfstream Park.
There’s also Ornela and Mistica Traviesa.
The South American imports are part of a field of seven fillies and mares for a first-level allowance that closes out the Royal Palm meet. Gulfstream begins its Sunshine meet Friday.
The fillies from Chile are all 4-year-olds by Into Mischief bred by Haras Matriarca. They are all trained by Amador Sanchez.
Millie and Ornela both made their first starts outside Chile last out at Gulfstream and finished a respective third and fifth at this first-level allowance condition. Millie ran June 25 and rallied for third over 6 1/2 furlongs and gets a bit of added real estate Sunday with the move to seven furlongs. Ornela was fifth over 5 1/2 furlongs on Tapeta July 16, and the race has since produced two next-out winners at Gulfstream.
Mistica Traviesa has been working sharply for her first start since October, among her moves a half-mile in 47.40 seconds on a good track Aug. 11 at Gulfstream. She has run in some Group 3 races in Chile. Mistica Traviesa will add Lasix for owner Super Super Stable. Millie and Ornela both race for Matriarca, but will start as separate interests Sunday.
The feature, which goes as the eighth of nine races, also drew Anatomy. She’s won her last two starts, both at Gulfstream, and could go favored Sunday.
There are several other races of interest on the final card of the meet. In the opener, 2-year-old fillies come together for a maiden special weight at six furlongs, and Hepburn figures to go favored off a third-place finish to sharp debut winner Star of Saturn.
Hepburn’s rivals include Flower Mound, a $250,000 daughter of Practical Joke from the female family of 2002 Horse of the Year Azeri. The name Flower Mound reflects the Texas city of about 80,000 that is home to one of the partners in the filly – as well as other notables in racing, including Bill Casner and Matt Bryan.
The fourth race is a maiden special weight for 3-year-olds and up at a mile, and it’s led by Alexander Helios, a half-brother to Preakness winner and millionaire Rombauer. The field also includes first-time starter Mwari, a 4-year-old by Arrogate who is a half-brother to Sunland Derby winner Chitu.
Saffie Joseph Jr., who led the trainer standings into the final week of the meet, trains Alexander Helios. Leonel Reyes, who ranks as the current leading rider, has the mount on Midnight Pranks, who races for the Texas-based automobile dealer Tom Durant.
Star of Saturn eyes stakes
Star of Saturn, who was an impressive debut winner this meet at Gulfstream, is being pointed to the $65,000 Hallandale Beach on Sept. 24 at Gulfstream, trainer Bobby Dibona said.
“She’ll be stretching out a little bit to a mile, which I think is what she wants,” Dibona said. “With that race underneath us now, we’re looking to continue on with her. She’s doing really well.”
Dibona is closing out a meet to remember as he’s won 19 races from 55 starts for a 35 percent win rate. Dibona currently has 12 horses in training at Gulfstream.
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