Peisinoe dictates pace in Ocala

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Peisinoe led throughout to register a one-length victory over Zee Zee in Sunday's $75,000 Ocala Stakes for Florida-breds at Gulfstream Park.

Peisinoe, whose only previous experience beyond seven furlongs resulted in a last-place finish in the Grade 1 Las Virgenes at Santa Anita a year ago, set a comfortable pace under jockey Jermaine Bridgmohan in the one-mile Ocala. Peisinoe cut out fractons of 24.66 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.74 to the half and 1:11.81 for six furlongs while tracked by Zee Zee. She remained a length clear when roused in early stretch, then maintained that margin under pressure to the end while being timed in 1:37.47.

Peach Flambe raced well placed, fanned wide into the stretch, and had no rally, finishing another 1 1/2 lengths further back in third. So Glitzy, the tepid 5-2 favorite in a field of eight fillies and mares, finished fourth while never a serious factor.

Victorina, the morning line favorite shipping in from Northern California for trainer Greg Gilchrist, was scratched early in the day.

"Jermaine did a great job of getting her to settle and slow down today," said Ian Wilkes, who trains Peisinoe for the Royal Pegasus LLC. "It also didn't hurt that Victorina scratched."