Trainer Michael Yates stood by the rail with a mix of relief and pride as Fourth and Central delivered the kind of performance every horseman dreams of — smooth, controlled, and utterly dominant. In front of a lively Saturday crowd at Gulfstream Park, the homebred colt surged to a front-running victory in the $100,000 Dr. Fager Stakes, the opening leg of the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes (FSS) series.
For Yates, the triumph was more than just another win — it was redemption. Just two races earlier, his filly Finding Strength had suffered a heartbreaking defeat, losing a tight photo finish to Lennilu in the $100,000 Desert Vixen Stakes. But when Fourth and Central exploded into the stretch, there was no drama, only dominance.
“I was pretty confident when I saw him get to the turn. He looked well within himself,” Yates said, smiling. “But when he switched leads and kicked again, I knew we had it. This one feels good.”
Fourth and Central Sets the Pace Early
Breaking sharply from the outside Post 8, jockey Marcos Meneses immediately seized control, allowing the son of Cajun Breeze to dictate the tempo. Fourth and Central set fractions of 22.48 and 46.26 seconds through the first half-mile before drawing away to a 1 Âľ-length victory, stopping the clock at 1:11.18 for six furlongs.
“I had the outside position, and that gave me the advantage,” Meneses said. “I was able to make my pace, control the group, and wait for the stretch. He’s learning fast, and I believe he’ll be even better next time.”
Fourth and Central returned $23.60 for the win, giving Yates his fourth career victory in the Dr. Fager Stakes.
A Strong Field Left Chasing
Camigol, who had narrowly lost to Fourth and Central in his debut, produced another sharp run to finish second under Edgard Zayas. Trelawny pressed the pace and stayed on well for third under Jose Morelos, just three-quarters of a length behind Camigol.
Meanwhile, race favorite Squire endured a troubled trip after bumping with Camigol in the opening strides, eventually fading to fifth under Jonathan Ocasio.
Yates Reflects on the Journey
Fourth and Central had flashed promise from the start, winning his May 25 debut at 4 ½ furlongs by a neck. However, his fifth-place finish in the Proud Man Stakes on August 9 tested Yates’ patience.
“His last race was messy,” Yates admitted. “He broke a step slow, got stuck between horses, checked twice, and still finished with a little kick. That experience helped him today — he’s maturing quickly.”
Saturday’s performance proved just how much the colt has learned. For Yates, who also campaigned Cajun Breeze and made the decision to stand him at stud, the victory carried extra meaning.
“This one’s special — he’s a homebred,” Yates said, beaming. “I’d be pretty thrilled if he keeps moving forward through the series.”
Florida Sire Stakes Series Heats Up
With the Dr. Fager Stakes behind them, all eyes now turn to the next chapter of the Florida Sire Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The action resumes October 18 with the $200,000 Affirmed Stakes and the $200,000 Susan’s Girl Stakes for fillies, both run over seven furlongs.
The series will culminate on November 30 with the prestigious $300,000 In Reality Stakes and $300,000 My Dear Girl Stakes over 1 1/16 miles — the ultimate test for Florida’s best two-year-olds.
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