Roses in the South can't be caught in Melody of Colors

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Roses in the South, a former $12,500 claimer, ran the Grade 1-experienced and odds-on favorite March X Press off her feet, leading throughout for a surprisingly easy 2 1/2-length victory in Sunday’s $75,000 Melody of Colors Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Roses in the South gave apprentice jockey Alvaro Donis his first stakes win. The only four-time winner in the field, she left the gate running and quickly opened a daylight advantage on her six rivals. The speedy daughter of City Place settled into the stretch with a comfortable advantage and was never seriously menaced.

March X Press encountered early trouble in the five-furlong Melody of Colors, getting squeezed back to last an eighth of a mile into the race. The 3-5 March X Press advanced steadily while widest around the turn, continued her rally in the middle of the track, but was no match for the winner while holding a one-length advantage over Treasure for Gold to finish second in her 3-year-old debut.

Roses in the South is owned by trainer Larry Bates and Patricia Julian. She returned $25 after completing the distance in 55.89 seconds over a firm course.

Bates saluted his partner in the winner’s circle.

“Miss Julian is the one who bought her at the sale,” said Bates. “[Julian] isn’t in the best of health. She couldn’t have come to the races at a better time. I’d rather win with this filly [for her] than win the Kentucky Derby.”