Sunshine City gives Ward first win of year with juvenile

All was right again with the racing world on Thursday after even-money favorite Sunshine City came flying down the center of the course to win the second race at Gulfstream Park, finally giving trainer Wesley Ward his first 2-year-old winner of the year.

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Ward, who typically dominates baby races this time of season both locally and at Keeneland, lost with his first two juvenile starters of 2020 here a week ago, both prohibitive favorites. And he appeared destined to suffer a similar fate when Sunshine City spun her wheels during the early going and fell far back of the speedy pacesetter Missing Link in her debut. But once jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. angled Sunshine City outside horses on the turn, she steadily began to pick up the pace, rallying from eight lengths back at the quarter pole to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Special Inclusion rallied mildly to be second, with Missing Link checking home a tiring third.

Sunshine City, who ran under a $25,000 claiming tag, paid $4 after completing 4 1/2 furlongs over a fast track in 53.80 seconds. Sunshine City is a Ken and Sarah Ramsey homebred by Creative Cause.