Isabella Sings takes My Charmer gate to wire

MIAMI, Fla. - Isabella Sings used her abundant speed, leading from start to finish, to take a popular 1 3/4-length victory over Sea Coast in Saturday’s Grade 3 My Charmer Handicap at Gulfstream Park West.

With leading rider Edgard Zayas aboard, Isabella Sings quickly sped clear and relaxed through splits of 23.85, 48.20, and 1:11.19 for the opening six furlongs of the 1 1/16-mile race. She had plenty left to repulse a mild bid from Sea Coast in early stretch, maintaining a safe advantage under urging to the end. Sea Coast was easily second best, finished 2 1/2 lengths in front of Dad’s Princess.

Stormy Victoria, Strike Charmer, Artesian, Susie Bee, Secret Someone, and Sparkle Factor completed the order of finish.

Isabella Sings, a 4-year-old homebred daughter of Eskendereya owned by Siena Farm, is trained by Todd Pletcher, who won the My Charmer for the third time. She paid $6.20.

“It went just like we planned,” Zayas said. “Todd said to just let her run. Last time they took hold of her a little and she doesn’t like that. She’s a free runner. I just put the hands down and let her do her own thing. I was waiting for one of Clement’s horses to finish strong, but she relaxed a little bit the first quarter, so I was really confident that she’d give me a kick at the end.”

Trainer Christophe Clement was pleased with Sea Coast’s performance.

“The best horse on the day won,” Clement said. “The winner is a good filly, she’s beaten us a few times this year. (Sea Coast) always runs good on firm ground, and the filly who ran fourth (Stormy Victoria) also ran a good race. It’s very tough to come from the back today.”

Rainbow Heir clearly best in Gin Rummy Champ
Rainbow Heir overcame some trouble at the break to run down the 6-5 Summation Time to register a 1 1/2-length decision in the $75,000 Gin Rummy Champ Stakes. El Deal finished nearly six lengths farther back in third.

Rainbow Heir was ridden to victory by Trevor McCarthy for trainer Jason Servis. She completed five furlongs over a firm course in 56.12 and paid $6.40.