It took photo finish equipment to determine Lennilu edged Finding Strength by a nose in the $100,000 Desert Vixen division of the Florida Sire Stakes on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.
The fillies sparred every step of the way and in the end the bob went to Lennilu, who was making her first start since running third in the Group 2 Queen Mary at the Royal Ascot meet in June.
Her long-range goal is the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, according to trainer Patrick Biancone.
The Desert Vixen, which was for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs on a fast main track, shared a card with the $100,000 Dr. Fager division won by Fourth and Central ($23.60).
Lennilu ($4.80) shot to the lead at the start of the Desert Vixen and was soon joined from the inside by Finding Strength. The two raced through fractions of 22.15 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.50 for the half-mile, before covering six furlongs in 1:10.72.
Jonathan Ocasio was aboard Lennilu, who earlier this year at Gulfstream Park won the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies. It was another 2 3/4 lengths back in third to Love Like Lucy.
Lennilu is now 3 for 4 for earnings of $163,289. The daughter of Leinster races for a partnership that includes Amy Dunne, Caitlin Dunne, Brenda Miley, Jean Wilkinson and Hoffman Family Racing.
Finding Strength came into the Desert Vixen off a maiden special weight win for which she earned a strong Beyer Speed Figure of 75.
Dr. Fager
Fourth and Central set fractions of 22.48 seconds for the opening quarter and 46.26 for the half-mile before going on to a 1 3/4-length win over Camigol in the Dr. Fager. It was another three-quarters of a length back in third to Trelawny.
Marcos Meneses was aboard the winner for trainer Michael Yates.
Fourth and Central came into the Dr. Fager off a troubled fifth-place finish in the Proud Man at Gulfstream. He is now 2 for 3 for earnings of $112,182. The son of Cajun Breeze races for his breeder, Shadybrook Farm.
Prevent takes Mambo Meister
Jockey Emisael Jaramillo won his fourth race on the card when he guided Prevent ($7.20) to a front-running win in the $70,000 Mambo Meister, an overnight handicap that was moved from a mile on turf to one mile, 70 yards on Tapeta.
The winner covered the distance in 1:39.46, finishing 1 1/2 lengths clear of favorite and runner-up Goes the Clown. Carlos David trains Prevent, a son of Neolithic, for BC Racing.
Jaramillo on Saturday also won the second race with Noble Tiger ($7.20), the sixth with Mama Bella ($7.80) and the seventh with Greenfield Cougar ($6.60).
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