Speed dominates in Birdonthewire, Cassidy stakes

Speed was both king and queen in Saturday’s two stakes for 2-year-olds at Gulfstream Park, where the maiden Sing Praises and undefeated Coco’s Wildcat registered wire-to-wire victories in the $75,000 Birdonthewire and Cassidy stakes.

Sing Praises, who encountered trouble when finishing second in his only previous start, broke on top and never looked back, extending his advantage through the stretch to register a convincing 5 1/2-length victory over Kulak in the 5 ½ furlong Birdonthewire. Dekabrist, who entered the race perfect in two previous starts and set the 4 1/2-furlong track record in his debut, was never a serious factor, finishing a well beaten fifth as the 4-5 favorite in a field of 11 2-year-old colts and geldings.

Sing Praises is a homebred son of Hear No Evil owned and bred by Fred Brei’s Jacks or Better Farm and trained by Stanley Gold. He was ridden by Ramsey Zimmerman. Sing Praises completed the distance in 1:04.12 over a track officially listed as good throughout the day and paid $43.80.

“I told Ramsey he’s quick out of the gate,” said Gold. “If he breaks good and can get the lead, take it.”

Sing Praises and stablemate Of Course, who finished fourth, will be pointed for the $100,000 Dr. Fager Stakes, opening leg of the Florida Sire series, on Aug. 9.

Coco’s Wildcat, who is also a homebred from the powerful stable of Gilbert Campbell, was an impressive winner of her only previous start prior to the Cassidy. She broke alertly from the rail under jockey Eduardo Nunez, and like Sing Praises, drew off impressively through the stretch, registering a 5 3/4-length triumph over runner-up Naval Command Curlin’s Princess, the 6-5 favorite, broke a step slow and was never a threat, checking home fifth in a full group of a dozen fillies.

Coco’s Wildcat, a daughter of Wildcat Heir, returned $10.40 after covering 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.90.

“Speed had been holding up today, so I wasn’t worried,” trainer Kathleen O’Connell said. “She has a lot of natural speed. Being in the one-hole, you’re almost committed to make that move. O’Connell said. “She’s a really nice filly, she acts really mature. Mr. Campbell’s had the family for a long time. It’s a lovely, lovely family.”
Coco’s Wildcat is not eligible for the Florida Sire series and will likely make her next start out of town, according to O’Connell.