Seminole Chief Upsets Florida Sire In Reality Stakes
The addition of blinkers and a stretch-out proved key Dec. 2 for the Brad Grady and David Grund-owned Girvin colt Seminole Chief , who posted a 12-1 upset in the $300,000, 1 1/16-mile FTBOA Florida Sire In Reality Stakes Dec. 2 for juveniles at Gulfstream Park.
Prominent from the start chasing front-runner Mattingly from second through early fractions of :23.43, :46.69, and 1:11.44, the Jack Sisterson-trained 2-year-old engaged that pacesetter at the top of the lane and took a short lead at the top of the stretch. The undefeated Bentornato , looking for a Florida sire stakes series sweep, advanced on the outside from third to get eye-to-eye with Seminole Chief in deep stretch.
Seminole Chief, gr/ro, 2/c
Girvin — Secret Song, by DunkirkOwner: Brad Grady and David Grund
Breeder: Brad Grady & Misty Grady (FL)
Trainer: Jack Sisterson
Jockey: Paco LopezPedigree Notes
Girvin stands at Airdrie Stud for $30,000 (2024).Sale History
OBSJUN2023 • $80,000 • Consignor: Bobby Dodd • Buyer: HND Bloodstock.Honey Dijon, dk b/br, 2/f
Girvin — Archangelus, by Empire MakerOwner: Brad Grady
Breeder: Brad Grady & Misty Grady (FL)
Trainer: Joe Sharp
Jockey: Paco LopezPedigree Notes
Girvin stands at Airdrie Stud for $30,000 (2024).Under the heavy encouragement of jockey Paco Lopez, Seminole Chief turned back the challenge from the heavy favorite and held on by a diminishing half-length.
The 32-1 longshot Secret Lover nailed heavy 1-5 favorite Bentornato for the place spot, keying a $514 exacta. Seminole Chief paid $27 for a $2 win wager. Third-place finisher Bentornato finished 1 3/4 lengths in front of Mattingly, who faded to hold on for fourth.
The final time for the 1 1/16 miles over a fast track was 1:45.59.
Seminole Chief, now 2-0-0 from three starts, increased his earnings to $195,960.
The winner, bred in Florida by Brad and Misty Grady, was a $80,000 purchase at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company June 2023 2-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age Sale.
Honey Dijon Sharp in My Dear Girl Filly Co-Feature Final
The Brad Grady homebred Honey Dijon turned the tables on 3-5 favorite R Harper Rose to register her first stakes victory in taking the $300,000 1 1/16-mile My Dear Girl Stakes, the filly division finale of the FTBOA Florida sire stakes at Gulfstream.
Honey Dijon wins the FTBOA Florida Sire My Dear Girl StakesThe Joe Sharp-trained filly broke sharply from her inside post and settled comfortably in third through opening fractions of :23.19, :46.78, and 1:11.45 while always keeping front-runner R Harper Rose in her sights. As they passed the mile marker, the dark bay filly slowly crept up along the inside with jockey Paco Lopez before swinging to the two-path and engaging R Harper Rose at the head of the stretch.
From there, the daughter of Girvin quickly put away the heavy favorite, who could offer no resistance, and motored home to an easy 2 3/4-length victory while eventually easing up at the wire.
The final time of 1:45.60 was nearly identical to the In Reality male division clocking (1:45.59) earlier on the card.
Girvin sired both the male and female Saturday sire stakes final winners and jockey Paco Lopez was the winning rider of both divisions.
R Harper Rose ran well for the place spot and was easily 7 1/4 lengths clear of the closing third-place finisher, Haunted .
Honey Dijon paid $8 for a $2 win wager and is now 2-1-0 from five starts with earnings of $284,450.
Brad and Misty Grady bred the winner in Florida, the same connections as In Reality juvenile colt victor Seminole Chief.
