D. J. Stable and Robert Cotran’s Winplaceandshow produced a determined performance on Saturday, earning a narrow victory in the $100,000 Azalea at Gulfstream Park. Making her stakes debut after two straight wins, the three-year-old filly extended her winning run to three races with a hard-fought head success over Permian Basin.
 Azalea Stakes ResultÂ
The Azalea, a seven-furlong contest for three-year-old fillies, was the main attraction of Gulfstream Park’s 11-race Father’s Day eve programme. Winplaceandshow’s victory added another strong chapter to her rapidly improving career.
Ridden confidently by Edwin Gonzalez and trained by Joe Orseno, Winplaceandshow completed the fast main track distance in 1:24.41. The filly showed excellent determination in the final stages, holding off Permian Basin when challenged late in the stretch.
“She swapped her leads a little and maybe wasn’t getting hold of the track perfectly,” Orseno said. “But when she settled, she really fought and showed a lot of determination.”
The race began with Flowko taking the early initiative, setting the pace through the opening quarter-mile in 22.49 seconds while Sorokin applied pressure. Late Night Text, the early favourite, raced further back in fourth as Gonzalez kept Winplaceandshow in a comfortable three-wide position.
Winplaceandshow gradually moved forward around the far turn and took command after covering the half-mile in 45.21 seconds. Sorokin stayed in pursuit while Flowko started to fade, but Permian Basin launched a serious challenge in the closing stages.
The final stretch turned into a battle between the two leading fillies. Permian Basin continued to press, but Winplaceandshow refused to surrender and crossed the finish line first.
Permian Basin finished second, six lengths ahead of Wander Woman, who secured third place. Sorokin and Flowko completed the top five, while Late Night Text finished behind them.
Bred in Florida by Brereton C. Jones, Winplaceandshow was purchased for $90,000 as a yearling. The daughter of Win Win Win improved her record to four victories from six starts and pushed her career earnings beyond $160,000.
Winplaceandshow wins the Azalea Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
Orseno praised the filly’s progress and hinted that bigger challenges could come next as connections decide her future schedule.
“She has always shown talent,” Orseno said. “The record proves what she can do, and she is a lovely Florida-bred filly to have.”
The programme also featured several promising two-year-old performances, with Colombina giving trainer Antonio Sano another debut winner in recent weeks. The daughter of Mr Louise led from the start under jockey Samy Camacho to win a five-furlong maiden event in 1:00.46.
Spicy Taco also impressed with a late rally victory in a 4½-furlong contest, while Ez Orb Not pulled away in the stretch to claim a six-furlong event in 1:11.80.
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