There’s something quietly special about a young horse taking his next big step. For trainer Heather Smullen, that moment comes this Saturday as Wootun, a bright bay colt with raw ability and calm maturity, moves into the spotlight for his first stakes test in the $200,000 Affirmed at Gulfstream Park.
For Silverton Hill Farm’s homebred, the Affirmed isn’t just another race — it’s a leap from promise to possibility. Just three weeks ago, Wootun broke his maiden in style, charging clear of his rivals by 2 ½ lengths in a Florida-bred maiden special weight on September 27. That win followed a sharp runner-up debut earlier in the month, signaling that this colt had more to offer.
Now, with just 22 days between starts, he’ll face tougher company — and a longer distance — in the seven-furlong Affirmed, the second leg of the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series for two-year-olds by accredited Florida stallions. The race co-headlines a 12-race program alongside the $200,000 Susan’s Girl for fillies.
“It’s a little short back for this race,” Smullen admitted. “Ideally, I’d like another week or two, but you deal with what’s in front of you. He’s been very professional since day one. If I didn’t like something about him, I wouldn’t run him — but he’s doing really well, and we’ll take a shot.”
Luca Panici, who rode Wootun in both starts, retains the mount from Post 8 in a field of 11. The pair are listed as the 5-1 third choice on the morning line in what looks a wide-open contest.
A First Florida Sire Stakes Starter for Smullen
While this will be Smullen’s first FSS starter, her experience with the series runs deep. As longtime assistant to Ralph Nicks, she was part of an era of dominance — eight Sire Stakes wins between 2016 and 2020, including four consecutive Affirmed victories with Soutache, Garter and Tie, Liam’s Lucky Charm, and Breeze On By.
Smullen’s résumé also includes time with elite horsemen like Barclay Tagg and Dale Romans, working closely with champions such as Caledonia Road, Tiz the Law, and Promises Fulfilled.
“I’ve been really lucky,” she reflected. “Caledonia Road was such a neat filly — a champion with a great brain. Tiz the Law had that incredible turn of foot, and Promises Fulfilled had the best personality. Each one taught me something different.”
Now, Smullen is forging her own path. Since registering her first training victory in May, she’s struck with five of 21 starters this Sunshine Meet, placing her among Gulfstream’s top ten by wins. She’s still chasing that elusive first stakes triumph — something that could come as early as Saturday.
Testing the Waters at Seven Furlongs
Wootun will meet several familiar faces, including the second through sixth-place finishers from the Dr. Fager Stakes (Sept. 6), a race upset by Fourth and Central, who misses the Affirmed due to a minor setback but targets the $300,000 In Reality finale on November 29.
Smullen knows this step won’t be easy. “We don’t know if he wants seven-eighths, but we’re going to find out,” she said. “He’s not a need-the-lead type — he’s naturally fast, so we’ll just let him run where he’s comfortable. With 2-year-olds, it’s all about how they break and settle. You can plan all you want, but they make their own decisions once the gates open.”
The Affirmed will tell whether Wootun’s early promise can withstand the demands of stakes company — and whether Smullen’s steady patience will be rewarded with her first major win at Gulfstream Park.
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