Pay Any Price holds on to win Crystal River Stakes

Pay Any Price broke on top, and after opening up a clear lead was able to hold off a late bid by Mr French to win the $75,000 Crystal River Stakes at Gulfstream Park Monday. Pay Any Price didn’t pay much of a price, $3.20, for his victory in the five furlong dash on turf for 3-year-olds and up.

With Emisael Jaramillo aboard, Pay Any Price was under pressure from Shosone Brave and Singandcryindubai while carving out interior fractions of 22.02 and 44.01 seconds. He shook of his pursuers turning for home and appeared he had the race well in hand at midstretch. However, Mr French finished with a rush and was getting to the winner at the wire. Diamond Oops made a late rally to finish third.

A 9-year-old gelding by Wildcat Heir, Pay Any Price is trained by Georgina Baxter. Last year he won the Crystal River for trainer Ralph Ziadie.

He is owned by Averill Racing and Matties Racing Stable.

In the co-feature, the appropriately named Salute the Colonel came from a stalking position to win the $60,000 Home of the Brave. He paid $5.40 for his victory over Marshall Eddy in the 1 1/2-mile race on turf for 3-year-olds and up.

Under a confident ride by Jairo Rendon, Salute the Colonel was kept in the clear while Marshall Eddy was cruising alone on the lead through a moderate six furlongs in 1:16.21. Marshall Eddy was still in front after a mile in 1:41.51, but Salute the Colonel was starting to make his presence known. Salute the Colonel collared the leader turning for home and the pair dueled to the wire with Salute the Colonel drawing clear late. Marshall Eddy, who drifted out and bumped with the winner midstretch, was game in defeat. Whisky N Roses rallied from mid-pack to win the cavalry charge for third.

The final time was 2.28.89.

A 5-year-old gelding by Colonel John, Salute the Colonel is trained by Joseph Orseno and races for Patricia Generazio.

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