Clean break may be all Satan’s Mistress needs in Sunset

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – With the beast of the division, Free as a Bird, long gone, a nice opportunity presents itself for those filly and mare turf sprinters left behind in Sunday’s $60,000 Sunset Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Free as a Bird defeated several members of the Sunset lineup despite a harrowing trip in the five-furlong Captiva Island overnight stakes here March 18, a group that includes Satan’s Mistress, Tizgale, and the speedy Fascinante.

Of that trio, Satan’s Mistress has the most appeal after having her best chances compromised in the Captiva Island when she broke a couple of steps slow and then steadied shortly after the break. As a result, Satan’s Mistress, who is usually on or near the lead in five-furlong turf dashes, found herself in unfamiliar territory at the rear of the bulky field and did well to finish sixth, three lengths behind Free as a Bird, after circling extremely wide rallying into the stretch.

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Tizgale raced wide and between horses most of the way before rallying mildly to finish fourth in the Captiva Island. Fascinante stalked a very rapid early pace under confident handling but had little left when roused for the final furlong, finishing a tiring seventh, another length behind Satan’s Mistress.

Catching Fireflies, idle since finishing sixth after a troubled journey in the Lady’s Turf Sprint Stakes on Feb. 21, is already a two-time winner over this course and should be another force to reckon with when she returns in the Sunset for trainer Ralph Nicks.

Sunset Stakes, Race 8

KEY CONTENDERS

Satan’s Mistress (Last 3 Beyers: 78-78-71)

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◗ She makes the third start of her current form cycle after a nine-month hiatus and might be primed for her best effort yet after pairing up 78 Beyer Speed Figures in her first two tries off the layoff.

Fascinante (Last 3 Beyers: 75-69-92)

◗ The 92 Beyer she posted in winning the Sparkler overnight stakes at Gulfstream Park West in her 2014 finale is the best of any member of this field.

FORMULATOR FACT: Jesus Rios, who rode Fascinante to a high-priced optional-claiming victory here last fall, and trainer Efren Loza Jr. have combined to win 17 of 47 starts over the past three years, a 36 percent success rate, with a $2.23 return in investment.

Tizgale (Last 3 Beyers: 81-80-84)

◗ Has more speed than she has shown in her last two starts, having posted wire-to-wire turf-sprint wins both here and at Laurel Park earlier in her career.

Catching Fireflies (Last 3 Beyers: 77-85-83)

◗ She defeated Tizgale and the multiple stakes-winning turf sprinter Madame Giry when rallying to win an open allowance dash over the local strip in her 2015 debut.