Pretty Perfection wins Captiva, now 3 for 3 at Gulfstream meet

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Pretty Perfection has been aptly named, at least as far as the current Gulfstream Park meeting is concerned. The 5–year-old mare remained perfect during this championship meeting after rallying from off the pace to a popular half-length decision over Brandy’s Girl in Saturday’s $75,000 Captiva Island Stakes for her third win in as many starts.

Pretty Perfection, winner of the Lady’s Turf Sprint six weeks earlier, rated off a lively early pace set by Nite Delite, who posted splits of 21.13 for the opening quarter and 43.04 for the half. The leader was cooked at that point, with Pretty Perfection quickly overtaking the tiring Nite Delite inside the eighth pole before holding safe Brandy’s Girl at the end. Ruby Notion finished another half-length back in third.

Pretty Perfection, a daughter of Majesticperfection, is trained by Kelly Breen for the Stoneway Farm. She completed five furlongs over the firm course in 54.26 under regular rider Nik Juarez and paid $5.00.

“She surprised me because it’s tough to go 3 for 3 during the elite meet at Gulfstream Park,” Breen said. “That’s a feat in itself. Handicapping-wise, I thought there would be a lot of speed for her to run into, so I was a little concerned going down the backside when that one horse was alone on the lead. But she’s just right, right now, and she and Nik are a good combination.”

Breen said he’s not sure what’s next for Pretty Perfection, although he would obviously love to find another race for her at Gulfstream Park.

“I’m going to talk to P J Campo about that right now,” Breen said with a smile. “We’ll have to see what happens. The owners are from Kentucky, so if we’re lucky enough to have a horse to take to (Churchill) for the Oaks, we might bring her along for something there, too.”