Octane pours on the gas in Affirmed Stakes
Octane broke sharply from the rail and never looked back while winning the $200,000 Affirmed for 2-year-old Florida-sired colts and geldings at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.
He paid $22.20 for his 3 1/4-length victory in the seven-furlong sprint.
Ridden by Emisael Jaramillo, Octane posted interior fractions of 22.50 and 45.24 seconds. He opened up a clear lead turning for home, held a three-length advantage at the eighth pole, and easily held off the favorite, Cajun’s Magic, who came from a stalking position to finish second. Longshot Big and Classy rallied to finish third.
The final time was 1:25.16.
The gelded son of Brethren is trained by Carlos David and is an Arindel homebred.
In the co-featured $200,000 Susan’s Girl, Outfoxed paid $4.80 and posted a final time of 1:26.01 for her easy 13 1/2-length win over Devilette in the seven-furlong sprint for Florida-sired 2-year-old fillies.
With Edgard Zayas aboard, Outfoxed looked comfortable racing mid-pack while Devilette posted a 23.06 first-quarter-mile time. She moved into serious contention while going five-wide heading into the turn, and it was obvious the race was over when she assumed command without a lot of urging turning for home. Once she straightened out, Zayas did get after her until just inside the eighth pole, though. Devilette held on to finish 1 1/4 lengths clear of My Sassenach, who rallied late to grab third.
Prior to her impressive performance, Outfoxed was reluctant to load.
“She was a little nervous going in the gate, but was all class once she got in,” Zayas said. “She was much the best and I just let her get into her own rhythm.”
The final time was 1:26.01.
Outfoxed was making her second career start after finishing third in a maiden special weight race at Saratoga for trainer Bill Mott.
The daughter of Valiant Minister races for L N J Foxwoods. She was purchased for $360,000 out of the 2021 Ocala Breeders’ Spring Sale.