Hot Rod Honey will look to return to winning form when the promising Florida-bred filly lines up in Saturday’s $75,000 Juvenile Fillies Sprint at Gulfstream Park. After making an impressive start to her racing career with two consecutive victories, the Carlos David-trained runner will be aiming to put her latest setback behind her in a competitive field of eight fillies.
Owned by Troy Johnson, Wendell Yates and Roland Fritts, Hot Rod Honey began her career with an encouraging victory over five furlongs in a maiden special weight contest for Florida-breds on June 5. She settled behind the early pace before finding another gear in the closing stages to win by 1¼ lengths.
The filly followed that performance with an even more convincing display in the 5½-furlong Sharp Susan, defeating open company by 4¼ lengths after once again racing close to the leaders.
Her early performances highlighted her natural speed and ability, qualities that had already caught the attention of trainer Carlos David during preparations for her debut.
However, Hot Rod Honey encountered her first defeat in the six-furlong Scandalous Act for Florida-breds on August 8. After experiencing traffic difficulties during the race, she was forced to race wide in the closing stages and eventually finished third behind multiple-stakes winner Liberty Rings.
Following that effort, David decided to give the filly additional time away from competition to recover from the demands of her opening races. She has since returned to training with Saturday’s assignment marking an important opportunity to re-establish her earlier form.
Samy Camacho, who partnered Hot Rod Honey to victory on debut, will resume riding duties.
Juvenile Fillies Sprint Attracts a Competitive Eight-Filly Field
Trainer Jose D’Angelo will have two representatives in the Juvenile Fillies Sprint, with Classic Genes and Army Salute both expected to gain valuable experience as their careers progress.
Classic Genes, owned by Sabby Racing LLC, Jeremy Peskoff and Peter Yan, enters the contest following an impressive six-length victory in a six-furlong maiden optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park on October 23.
The daughter of Classic Empire had finished second on debut over 5½ furlongs before producing a much-improved performance in her latest appearance. Racing behind the early leaders, she gradually advanced before taking command in the stretch and pulling clear.
D’Angelo has been encouraged by her continued development and believes the filly has the ability to progress over longer distances. Her participation on Saturday will provide another opportunity to assess her development against a competitive group.
Her stablemate Army Salute, owned by Soldi Stable LLC and Ohana Racing LLC, arrives with two victories over five furlongs on Tapeta. Saturday’s assignment will mark her first appearance on dirt, an important test as her connections assess her future prospects.
Although she has shown encouraging ability on the synthetic surface, her performances during training on dirt have given her connections reason for optimism ahead of the switch.
Leonel Reyes will partner Classic Genes, while Paco Lopez has been named aboard Army Salute.
Lady of City and Tutto Passa Bring Recent Winning Form
Antonio Sano will also have two runners in the field, with Lady of City and Tutto Passa both arriving after victories in their most recent appearances.
Lady of City, owned by Gelfenstein Farm LLC, made an immediate impression on her debut at Gulfstream Park on October 3. The daughter of City of Light produced a strong finishing effort after racing well behind the early pace, eventually drawing clear to secure a 2¼-length victory.
Her performance was supported by a consistent preparation ahead of Saturday’s assignment. She recorded an especially encouraging workout on October 24 before completing five furlongs in 1:00.78 last Saturday, ranking among the fastest efforts recorded during the session.
Marcos Meneses will retain the mount on the Kentucky-bred filly.
Tutto Passa, representing Guarnieri Ventures LLC, brings greater racing experience into the contest. The daughter of Volatile began her career with a 1½-length victory over 5½ furlongs on August 9.
She subsequently finished behind the promising Rosie’s Roadster in an optional claiming allowance on September 6 before returning to winning form over six furlongs on October 18, securing a narrow victory by a neck.
While her recent performances have demonstrated consistency, the five-furlong assignment could present a different challenge, with her connections believing that additional distance may better suit her running style.
Jesus Rios will take the ride on Tutto Passa.
Sottish Lass Headlines Other Contenders
Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained Sottish Lass is another runner attracting attention ahead of her stakes debut. Owned by Summer Wind Equine LLC, the daughter of McKinzie made a successful start to her career on September 19, winning a six-furlong contest by 1¾ lengths.
She will now face a stronger group as she steps into stakes company for the first time, with Micah Husbands named to ride.
Early Spark, trained by Armando De La Cerda for M and M Racing Stable LLC and Ricardo Vallejo, will also be looking to make an impression. The daughter of Early Voting came close to victory in her previous appearance, finishing just short of holding off Tutto Passa. She will compete with blinkers for the first time, with Diego Herrera booked for the ride.
Completing the field is Shelby Coupe, trained by Heather Smullen. Another daughter of Roadster, the filly earned her maiden victory over six furlongs in her latest start and will now make her first appearance in stakes company. Heriberto Figueroa has been named aboard.
With eight promising fillies bringing different levels of experience and recent form to the contest, Saturday’s Juvenile Fillies Sprint at Gulfstream Park will provide an interesting examination of the emerging talent among the two-year-old division.
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