Whiskey Sunrise withstands pace pressure in maiden score

Whiskey Sunrise turned in a sparkling performance in the first of three strong maiden special weight races at Gulfstream on Easter Sunday. Whiskey Sunrise withstood a torrid pace before drawing off to an easy 4 ¼-length victory in the six-furlong dash for 3-year-old Florida-breds.

A Shadybrook Farm homebred trained by Michael Yates, Whiskey Sunrise had been idle since finishing second in his debut last April here. Whiskey Sunrise is a full brother to 2018 Dr. Fager Stakes winner Cajun Firecracker.

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A little later in the card, Saratoga Affair gave trainer Chad Brown his second 3-year-old debut winner in as many days when he rallied to capture a six-furlong maiden special weight dash for fillies. Saratoga Affair is by Paynter and the first foal out of the stakes-placed mare Mallory Street. On Saturday, Brown sent out Mister Winston to win his career bow and lost a second maiden victory when Per Capita was disqualified from first and placed second behind Colonel Liam for interfering with that rival in late stretch.

Mylastfirstkiss finally earned her diploma in her eighth career start in Sunday’s sixth race, giving trainer Peter Walder the first of two consecutive winners while upsetting a field of maiden special weight rivals that included the Brown-trained Primacy, sent off the even-money favorite.

◗ Todd Pletcher swept the top two spots in Sunday’s main event when Varanasi ran down stablemate Guacamole in the six-furlong optional-claiming event for fillies and mares. Edgard Zayas rode the winner, completing a hat trick that also included earlier wins aboard Saratoga Affair and Corey Gal.