 In concert with meet-leading rider Edgard Zayas, aboard for the first time, Siena Farm homebred Isabella Sings led every step of the way Nov. 26 to register a front-running 1 3/4-length victory in the $100,000 My Charmer Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Gulfstream Park West. Watch Video
Favored at 2-1 in a field of nine, Isabella Sings broke from post 8 and raced on an uncontested lead through fractions of :23.85 for the quarter-mile and :48.20 for a half, and six furlongs in 1:11.19 with 90-1 long shot Artesian in closest pursuit.
"We thought she was going to take the lead comfortably and she did what we expected her to do, so we're pretty happy," said Juan Tovar, South Florida-based assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher. "On paper it looked like we were the speed, so I told Edgard, 'If anybody comes up to you don't try to fight her. Let her do her race.'"
Isabella Sings remained in command turning for home as Artesian, the lone 3-year-old filly in the group, began to drop back and Sea Coast, one of two horses trained by Christophe Clement, began to launch her bid between horses to stay on for second.
A 4-year-old daughter of Eskendereya, Isabella Sings completed the distance in 1:46.52 over a firm turf course.
"It went just like we planned. Todd said to just let her run," Zayas said. "Last time they took hold of her a little and she doesn't like that. She's a free runner. I just put the hands down and let her do her own thing. I was waiting for one of Clement's horses to finish strong, but she relaxed a little bit the first quarter so I was really confident that she'd give me a kick at the end."
The 17-1 long shot Dad's Princess finished third, with another length back to Clement-trained Stormy Victoria in fourth, while multiple graded stakes winner Strike Charmer was never in contention, finishing fifth.
Isabella Sings won the Mrs. Revere Stakes (gr. IIT) last fall at Churchill Downs and the June 25 Eatontown Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Monmouth Park.
She faded to eighth after setting the pace in the July 23 Diana Stakes (gr. IT) and was placed third after finishing fourth as the favorite in a tightly run Violet (gr. IIIT) Sept. 10 at Monmouth, her previous start.
"She's a nice filly and the whole team is happy she got the win," Tovar said. "We'll see what the next step will be. We're looking forward with her."
The 1 1/16-mile My Charmer for fillies and mares, 3-years and up, was the second of three stakes and first of two graded stakes on an 11-race program that highlighted closing weekend of the Fall Turf Festival Meet. Gulfstream Park opens its Championship Meet Dec. 3.
Also on Saturday's card was the $100,000 Tropical Turf Handicap (gr. IIIT) for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles. |
