Special filly Heavenhasmynikki headed for stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Heavenhasmynikki will run next in a stakes race after staying unbeaten by winning her second career start here Monday in a first-level allowance sprint.

Heavenhasmynikki is owned by the Loooch Racing Stable of Ron Paolucci and named for his daughter Nicole, who died in January 2016 at age 21.

“The filly means everything to me,” Paolucci said after Heavenhasmynikki came through a rail opening in earning a 75 Beyer Speed Figure in the six-furlong race. “We’ve got more than 100 horses, and she’s definitely in the top three. She’s very special.”

Paolucci said the timing of the Gulfstream series of stakes for 3-year-old fillies means he might wind up instructing trainer Anthony Quartarolo to send the Ohio-bred daughter of Majestic Warrior elsewhere for her next start. The seven-furlong Forward Gal on Feb. 3 is next at Gulfstream, so either of a pair of two-turn races – the Feb. 10 Martha Washington at Oaklawn Park or the Feb. 17 Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds – might be next.

“She’s such a big-striding filly, she ought to love going longer,” Paolucci said.

Heavenhasmynikki, a $150,000 yearling purchase, was denied entry into the Breeders’ Cup in November as an unstarted maiden. Paolucci then made a production of her debut at Mahoning Valley on the Tuesday of Breeders’ Cup week (Oct. 31) when Javier Castellano was flown in to ride her to an easy victory as a huge favorite.