HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Jockey Edgard Zayas orchestrated the perfect trip and Tessellate did the rest, drawing off to a dominant 13-length victory over the 40-1 Lady Chance and six other overmatched rivals in Saturday’s $75,000 Juvenile Fillies Sprint at Gulfstream Park.
Tessellate came into the Juvenile Fillies Sprint off two stakes placings in the Sharp Susan and Hallandale Beach, although she still went postward the slight second choice in the wagering behind her Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained stablemate La Dolce Vita. The later, ironically, helped the winner’s cause after contesting a hot early pace with impressive debut winner Epigram.
Zayas eased Tessellate off the embattled leaders in the run down the backstretch, biding his time before sending the daughter of McKinzie up to engage for command midway on the turn. Tessellate took command under confident handling approaching the quarter pole, settled into the stretch with a comfortable advantage and continued to widen her advantage despite being geared down some at the end.
Lady Chance, a maiden winner in her previous start, came four wide with her bid into the stretch and was easily second-best, finishing three lengths in front of Dakota’s Lil Auro. Epigram tired badly to be fourth, followed in order by Nour, Make Your Wish and the staggering La Dolce Vita, who was last as the tepid 8-5 choice.
Tessellate completed 6 1/2 furlongs over a fast track in 1:18.60 seconds and paid $5.40.
“We thought she’d break through the first time (in a stakes) but then we tried the mile," Joseph said. "We knew she didn’t want to go the mile, but it was hard to resist. I’m glad she’s got a stakes win on her resume’ now. We thought there was a lot of speed and we left it up to Edgard. The filly has tactical speed, and he rode a smart race.”
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