Gulfstream Park: Ready Signal nips Byrama in Ten Palms Stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Ready Signal may well have ended her racing career by earning her first stakes victory, rallying from between horses to nip 2-1 favorite Byrama by a nose in the final jump to upset Sunday’s $75,000 Ten Palms overnight stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Ready Signal, a daughter of More Than Ready owned by trainer Amy Tarrant’s Hardacre Farm LLC, entered the Ten Palms with only two victories in 17 career starts but was coming off a career-best second-place finish under midlevel optional-claiming conditions earlier in the meet.

With Edgar Prado aboard, Ready Signal was reserved in midpack for the opening six furlongs of the one-mile Ten Palms, split rivals with her closing bid, then surged late to run down Byrama right on the wire. Byrama, making her first start since being purchased privately and turned over to trainer Bill Mott late last year, saved ground throughout, got to the lead near midstretch, but could not last.

Angel’s South joined for command in late stretch but was not quite good enough, finishing another head behind Byrama. Alaura Michele, Wholelottashakin, She’s Spooky, Long Face, Toasting, and Celestial Kitten completed the order of finish.

Ready Signal completed the distance in 1:34.10 over the firm course and returned $37.60.

“I was very concerned because it was hot, and she didn’t clean up her food,” Tarrant said. “I’m like a mother – I worry about everything. But she did a great job, and Edgar gave her a great ride. He did just what he needed to do to win.”

[Clocker Reports: Get Mike Welsch’s clocker reports from Gulfstream Park and Palm Meadows]

Tarrant said she will enjoy the moment before deciding what would be next for Ready Signal, but she mentioned the possibility that the horse could be retired to be bred later this spring.

“Being she’s 5, I might just send her to the broodmare shed. I haven’t made up my mind yet,” Tarrant said. “Right now, I’m just enjoying this. I’m so happy for her.”

Believe in Charlie wins Ladies Turf Sprint

Believe in Charlie rallied off a hotly contested pace, then withstood a late bid from a troubled Allwewantforxmas to register a one-length victory in the $90,000 Ladies Turf Sprint Stakes. My Due Process finished third.

Runway Ready was part of the early duel for the lead, succumbing through the stretch to finish a tiring fifth as the 3-2 favorite.

Believe in Charlie, a daughter of Indian Charlie trained by Tom Bush, paid $19.60.