Lovesick returns a winner in Liza Jane Stakes

Lovesick got away slowly in the $75,000 Liza Jane Stakes on Friday at Gulfstream Park, but left no doubt at the finish after rallying wide and edging clear to a 1 3/4-length win.

Sent off as the 8-5 favorite in the 6 1/2-furlong Liza Jane, Lovesick was returning from a nearly six-month layoff for trainer David Fawkes. The 3-year-old daughter of Adios Charlie went 2 for 3 in her juvenile campaign, closing things out with a third-place finish in a sloppy-track renewal of the Sandpiper Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Dec. 15.

Though Lovesick spotted the field several lengths when the gates sprung open on Friday, the poor break did not hinder her for long. Cory Gal was away quickest and set fast early fractions of 22.10 seconds for a quarter-mile and 44.99 for a half. Paula Andrea ranged up outside the pacesetter turning for home, and briefly poked a head in front before Just Ain't Right and Lovesick, widest of all under Edgard Zayas, launched their bids outside of her. Lovesick gained the advantage and drove home, completing the distance in 1:17.93. She returned $5.20.

“She was obviously the best horse," Fawkes told Gulfstream publicity. "She ran huge. She’d been training really well. I was real confident today until the break. Edgard did a great job in not getting nervous. He sat back and waited and took his time and she proved to be the best.”

Calinas Song finished well for second, Just Ain't Right was third, and Paula Andrea wound up fourth in the field of six 3-year-old fillies, which was reduced just prior to the start by the late scratch of longshot Jessica.

Lovesick is campaigned by e Five Racing Thoroughbreds and has now earned $142,140.