Gulfstream Park: Aubby K fires fresh in Inside Information

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Aubby K, who always seems to run well fresh, returned from a seven-month vacation to register an impressive three-length victory over Spectacular Sky in Sunday’s $150,000 Inside Information at Gulfstream Park.

Golden Mystery, runaway winner of two stakes here earlier in the meet, including the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie, turned in a dull effort finishing 10th and last as the 6-5 favorite.

Aubby K won her career debut at 2 by 15 lengths at Belmont Park and came off a five-month hiatus to win her entry-level allowance condition by nearly 10 lengths here last winter. She ran only three times after that victory, her final start at 3 coming in the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga on Aug. 25.

With regular rider Edgar Prado aboard, Aubby K stalked the early pace of Spectacular Sky, overtook the leader entering the stretch, edged clear, and then was able to maintain a safe advantage to the wire. Spectacular Sky, one of four fillies and mares trainer Marty Wolfson ran in the Inside Information, fought on gamely once relinquishing the lead to be second, finishing three-quarters of a length in front of Grade 1 winner Emma’s Encore.

Golden Mystery, who vanned to Kentucky and then back again after going through the sales ring the day after winning the Hurricane Bertie, was dull throughout the Grade 2 Inside information and never factored.

Aubby K, a 4-year-old homebred daughter of Street Sense, is owned by James Spence and trained by Ralph Nicks. She paid $15 after negotiating seven furlongs in 1:23.85 over a fast track.

“She does it off the bench well,” said Nicks. “She won her first start very impressively and last year down here she ran huge off four months. She’s special and easy to get ready.”

Nicks said Aubby K showed last year she didn’t want to run long, so the focus will be on six-furlong and seven-furlong races this season.

“We tried it and it knocked her out,” said Nicks, referring to attempts to get Aubby K to go long. “Sixth to seven-eighths is it for her. We’ll space her races further out this year. The Humana [Distaff] on Derby Day is a possibility if she’s ready but it’s only seven weeks away so time will tell.”