Family Way powers home to win Orchid Stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Tyler Gaffalione was able to get Family Way turned off for the first mile of the race, and then Family Way turned it on during the last half-mile to win Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Orchid Stakes by 1 3/4 lengths at Gulfstream Park.

Harajuku rallied along the rail to nose out Beautiful Lover for second. Beautiful Lover, in the final race of her career, was a neck in front of Sister Otoole. Scarabea and Champagne Ivy completed the order of finish. Song of Innocence scratched.

It was the fifth win from 14 starts for Family Way, a 5-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo. It was the first graded stakes win for the mare owned by Hunter Valley Farm, Debra O’Connor, and Marc Detampel and trained by Brendan Walsh.

Gaffalione said Family Way was a bit too keen when she raced close to the pace and ultimately finished second behind Virginia Joy in last month’s Grade 3 The Very One Stakes here. Saturday, the plan was to change tactics, regardless of pace.

“Today, the main thing we wanted to focus on was getting her cover,” Gaffalione said. “Last time she was doing a little too much too early. We wanted to get her back there, try to get her to turn off and have more of a finish, and she did exactly that.”

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Family Way was last of six, but only 4 1/2 lengths off Scarabea, who went the opening mile in 1:41.94. Gaffalione rallied Family Way four wide on the turn and in midstretch she powered past the leaders with ease, drawing clear for the victory.

Family Way covered the 1 1/2 miles over firm ground in 2:29.08 and returned $5.60 as the favorite. Family Way was given a 95 Beyer Speed Figure.

“He rode her with a lot of confidence today, she’d been doing great since the last race and I think she’s getting a little better,” Walsh said. “I don’t think we’ve seen the best of her yet.”

Walsh mentioned the Grade 3, $300,000 Bewitch on April 29 at Keeneland as a possible next spot for Family Way.