Mizz Money lands in softer spot in first start for Fawkes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – After hauling a two-horse rig to Churchill Downs to run a couple of fillies on Kentucky Oaks Day, including his top 3-year-old, Florida Fabulous, trainer David Fawkes is finally back home at Gulfstream Park, where he will send out one of the newest members of his stable, Mizz Money, in Friday’s $44,000 turf feature.

Mizz Money became a Grade 3 winner on last year’s Preakness card at Pimlico, capturing the Grade 3 Gallorette for trainer Chad Brown in a game effort. But Mizz Money has failed to hit the board in five subsequent starts. She finished sixth of seven after pressing the early pace while returning from a six-month layoff April 15 in an overnight stakes at Aqueduct before shipping south to Fawkes, seeking some easier opposition here this summer.

“It just seemed like she might fit better down here at the present time,” said Fawkes, who trains both Florida Fabulous and now Mizz Money for e Five Racing Thoroughbreds. “I like her. She’s been training really well since I got her, and I think she might like this firmer turf course down here a little better too. It’s not an easy race on Friday, but it’s easier than what she’s been facing, and if she goes back to some of her past numbers, she should be right there.”

Mizz Money is one of several stakes-tested horses in the second-level optional $62,500 claimer at one mile, along with Lori’s Store and Sigue Regaloncita.

Lori’s Store is a multiple stakes winner who is seeking to get back on the winning track while dropping into allowance company for the first time this season. Lori’s Store is winless in five starts since rallying to victory in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf here 16 months ago. She is one of two horses entered by trainer Marty Wolfson, along with King’s Ghost, who defeated similarly conditioned optional-claiming/allowance company at Fair Grounds in March for trainer Brad Cox before being purchased privately by current owner Miller Racing LLC.

Sigue Regaloncita was a Group 2 winner in her native Chile last year but has not been able to reproduce that form in the U.S., having finished off the board in all three of her starts since being sent to trainer Angel Quiroz here late last season.

Vendita will take another jump up the class ladder while trying to extend a four-race win streak that began in the selling ranks here Feb. 15. Her most recent triumph was her best yet, a come-from-behind, two-length decision over softer optional-claiming/allowance foes on May 3.

Race 9

KEY CONTENDERS

Mizz Money, by Mizzen Mast

Last 3 Beyers: 85-51-74

◗ Although she beat only one horse in her return last month at Aqueduct, the 85 Beyer Speed Figure she earned was her best since the Gallorette, and Fawkes is looking for further improvement with that race under her belt.

Lori’s Store, by El Prado

Last 3 Beyers: 79-88-88

◗ Although winless in three starts this season, she lost by less than four lengths to Grade 1 winner Celestine in both the Sand Springs and Grade 2 Honey Fox to launch her current campaign.