The 2017 Florida Sire Stakes (FSS) series for juveniles comes to a close on Saturday with the running of the $400,000 In Reality division for colts and geldings, and the $400,000 My Dear Girl division for fillies.
The In Reality drew a field of six, including 3-5 morning-line favorite Soutache. The Backtalk colt broke his maiden at first asking July 2 at Gulfstream before finishing third in the first division of the Florida Sire Stakes, the Dr. Fager. Trainer Ralph Nicks saddled the bay colt for a second try at the series and he responded with a half-length victory in the Affirmed division last out on September 2.
Soutache will get his fourth different jockey from four career starts when Tyler Gaffalione takes the reins Saturday.
The In Reality is carded as the 2ND Race on Saturday, and fans of the FSS series will have to wait until the 13TH Race to see the fillies in action. The My Dear Girl attracted 10 juvenile misses, including the top four finishers from the first two divisions.
Go Astray captured the first division, the Desert Vixen, by 4 3/4 lengths over Awesome Mass and held that same rival to fourth by two lengths when third in the second division. Jose Batista was aboard for both of those starts and retains the mount for trainer Angel Rodriguez.
Starship Bonita could only manage fourth in the Desert Vixen but returned to gut out a head score over the re-opposing Dessert Honeys in the Susan’s Girl at 14-1. Carlos Montalvo returns to the saddle as the Steven Dwoskin trainee tries for a second straight stakes win in this spot.
Dessert Honeys is the 2-1 morning-line favorite in this field but is still looking for a first career score. The Eddie Kenneally pupil gets Tyler Gaffalione in the irons for the first time here.
Pantyhose is also seeking a first career win after running third in the Desert Vixen and fifth in the Susan’s Girl. Trainer Ralph Nicks will give Sebastian Saez a leg up on Saturday.
