Liam's Lucky Charm upsets Chance It by a head in Affirmed Stakes; Ceci Valentina pays $27 in Susan's Girl

Following a thrilling stretch-long duel Liam’s Lucky Charm bobbed his head at the right time to edge 1-5 favorite Chance It in the $200,000 in the Affirmed division of the Florida Sire Stakes for 2-year-olds. He paid $9.80 as the second choice behind Chance It in the seven-furlong dash.

With Reylu Gutierrez aboard, Liam’s Lucky Charm broke alertly from the outside post in the 10-horse field and settled into a stalking position while Chance It was posting interior fractions of 22.67 and 46.07 seconds. He started to make his presence known on the turn, and after hooking up with Chance It the duo became involved in a race of their own. Revelda finished over 17 lengths behind in third.

The final time was 1:23.25.

“Those two horses put it all on the line,” said Gutierrez. “I had an easy trip. He broke sharply and I was right where I wanted to be. I knew it was going to be tough to get past the other horse, though.”

The homebred son of Khozan is owned by Stonehedge LLC and trained by Ralph Nicks

Susan's Girl: Ceci Valentina pays $27

Despite having to steady on the stretch turn, Ceci Valentina was able to get up in time to edge longshot Bahamian Girl in the $200,000 Susan’s Girl division of the Florida Sire Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. A longshot herself, Ceci Valentina paid $27 for her 1 1/2-length victory in the seven-furlong dash. The $1.00 exacta paid $290.50. Awesome Indra, third at 39.70-1, helped spice up a 50-cent trifecta that paid $1,648.45.

Cecil Valentina was ridden by Marcos Meneses for trainer Angel Rodriguez.

The homebred daughter of Prospective races for Amalio Ruiz-Lozano.

* Supporting the Florida Sire Stakes were a pair of turf stakes for 2-year-olds. Both races were contested at about 7 1/2 furlongs over a turf course rated good.

Onyx rallied late to win the $117,500 Sharp Susan for fillies She paid $11.80 for her three-quarter-length victory over Fujairah, who was the 4-5 favorite. Fujairah set the pace and was game in defeat. Champagne Humor finished third, three-quarters of a length behind the favorite.

idden by Emisael Jaramillo, Onyx posted a final time of 1:30.85.

The Florida-bred daughter is trained by Juan Alvarado. She was bred by her owner Arindel.

Graceful Kitten, 6-1 on the morning-line, was sent off as the favorite in the $105,000 Proud Man and lived up to expectations with a front-running win. He paid $5.80 for his three-quarter-length decision over Captain D. Island. Commish finished third.

With Hector Berrios aboard, he posted a final time of 1:30.00

The son of Kitten’s Joy is trained by Amador Sanchez and races for Super Super Stable. He was bred in Kentucky by Ken and Sarah Ramsey