My Miss Venezuela uncatchable in prep for Princess Rooney

My Miss Venezuela used her speed and inside post to good advantage, leading throughout to register a 2 1/4- length victory over Winning for Sarah in Saturday’s $75,000 Sea Lily at Gulfstream Park. The six-furlong Sea Lily serves as the local prep for the Grade 2 Princess Rooney on July 2 and was among seven stakes on Saturday’s Summit of Speed preview program.

My Miss Venezuela was ridden to victory by Emisael Jaramillo, who picked up the mount when his first call in the race, likely favorite Best Behavior, was scratched earlier in the day.

My Miss Venezuela outran the speedy Dogwood Trail to the lead shortly after the start, showing the way after an opening quarter-mile in 22.50 seconds and half-mile in 45.09. Dogwood Trail retreated at that point, leaving My Miss Venezuela with a comfortable advantage, which she maintained under urging to the end.

Winning for Sarah rallied mildly from between horses to finish second, three-quarters of a length in front of Savingtime.

Dogwood Trail, bet to even money despite not hitting the board in her last five starts, weakened steadily to finish sixth and last. The graded stakes-placed Fusaichi Red, making her first start since October, was also a disappointment, racing wide throughout before finishing in front of only the leg weary Dogwood Trail in her 4-year-old debut.

My Miss Venezuela, a 4-year-old Florida homebred daughter of Hold Me Back, is trained by Bruno Tesore for Orlyana Farm. She paid $12.20.

Dearest won for the third time in four career starts, drawing off to a convincing six-length victory over the pacesetting Ballet Diva in the $75,000 Royal Palm Stakes. Dearest’s only setback was a third-place finish behind Kentucky Oaks winner Kathryn Sophia in the Grade 2 Davona Dale this past winter.

Dearest, a daughter of Midshipman, is owned by Gelfenstein Farm and trained by Gilberto Zerpa. She completed 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.80 under Jaramillo and paid $2.60.

“She ran beautifully today,” said Zerpa. “From the beginning we thought this filly had the possibility to reach the highest levels.”

Trainer Chuck Simon was not pleased when the stewards scratched his Aire Bueno during the post parade for the $75,000 Raymond Earl Stakes. But he was a lot happier several minutes later after his second entry in the race, Xaverian, rallied from off the pace to a game half-length decision over the even-money favorite, Hammers Terror, in the one-mile turf stakes for older colts and geldings.

Xaverian, racing on just one week’s rest, covered the distance in 1:33.07 over the firm course and paid $7.20.

Awesome Banner returned to what he does best, sprinting, and won for the first time in more than four months in the $75,000 Big Cypress. Wildcat Wish finished second after making a run at the winner into the stretch.

Major League, one of the few ship-ins for Saturday’s Summit of Speed preview card, was scratched in the paddock prior to the race.

Awesome Banner, a two-time graded stakes winner here this past winter, was ridden to victory by Elvis Trujillo. He replaced Tyler Gaffalione, who took off all his mounts this weekend due to illness. Awesome Banner paid $3.20 after negotiating 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.85.

Mark Casse trains Awesome Banner for owner-breeder Fred Brei’s Jacks or Better Farm.

Jaramillo notched his third stakes win on the program after guiding Susie Bee to victory over Kiss to Remember in the $75,000 Amelia Island Stakes on turf. Pink Poppy finished third.

Susie Bee is trained by Mike Maker for Calumet Farm. She returned $5.20.