Full Count Felicia sneaks up rail to take Suwannee River

The well-traveled Full Count Felicia capped a short but successful 4-year-old campaign by rallying up the rail under Irad Ortiz Jr. to win Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Suwannee River Stakes by three-quarters of a length at Gulfstream Park.

Full Count Felicia outfinished a wide-rallying Accomplished Girl, who finished three-quarters of a length in front of her Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained stablemate Sister Lou Ann, who set the pace.

Walkathon finished fourth, followed by Fast Flight, Messidor, Tequilera, and Poca Mucha. Saffron Moon and Willakia scratched.

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Full Count Felicia, trained by Brittany Russell for Al Gold, won for the third time in four starts this year and fifth from 14 starts overall. She won the All Along Stakes at Pimlico in September before shipping to Santa Anita for the Grade 2 Goldikova where she finished fourth.

Full Count Felicia had a wide trip in the Goldikova and was facing somewhat tougher competition than she met in this spot.

Saturday, breaking from post 3, Full Count Felicia got to the rail early and pretty much stayed there, while racing within four lengths of the lead.

Sister Lou Ann had a short advantage through six furlongs in 1:11.65. When Sister Lou Ann came off the rail turning for home, Ortiz pounced and punched Full Count Felicia on through.

“I broke good, ended up in a perfect spot going to the first turn,” Ortiz said. “This was the first time I was riding her, I trust what [Russell] told me, she switched off and was waiting for the time to go. When I asked her, she was there for me.”

Full Count Felicia, a daughter of War Front, covered the one mile in 1:34.23 and returned $4.20 as the favorite.

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