Miss Mary Nell returns to familiar company on Saturday with another opportunity to reverse the form against Turino in the $100,000 Powder Break Stakes at Gulfstream Park. After finishing a narrow second to her rival in the Monroe Stakes earlier this spring, the Florida-bred mare steps up in distance in the hope that the extra ground will tilt the balance in her favour.
Gulfstream Park Powder Break 2026
The Gulfstream Park Powder Break 2026 is the feature attraction on an 11-race programme as live racing resumes for a three-day weekend. Open to fillies and mares aged three and above, the listed contest is run over 1 1/16 miles on the turf and has attracted a competitive field of 10.
Trainer Carlos David believes the additional distance could prove beneficial for Miss Mary Nell, whose recent performances suggest she has rediscovered her best form on grass after previously excelling on the Tapeta surface.
The four-year-old daughter of Girvin has built an impressive all-weather record with five victories, but her turf performances have steadily improved this season. She finished less than a length behind multiple stakes winner Souper Zonda in the FHBPA Filly & Mare Turf before chasing home Turino in the Monroe Stakes over a mile.
Although she is yet to win in three attempts at Saturday’s distance on turf, Miss Mary Nell has shown she can be effective over longer trips. She was runner-up in last summer’s Martha Washington Stakes and also claimed the South Beach overnight handicap on Tapeta during the Pegasus World Cup meeting in January.
David said the mare’s confidence on turf has grown considerably over recent months.
“Last year I didn’t think she really liked the turf,” David said. “She was running better on Tapeta and then it just kind of clicked and she started running again on the grass. I’m happy she’s getting that turf form again.”
Rather than leave her without a race for an extended period, connections opted to run Miss Mary Nell in the Little Miss Holly overnight handicap sprint last month. She finished fourth after making late progress from the rear, a performance David felt would help maintain her fitness ahead of Saturday’s assignment.
“I feel good about her,” he said. “That race kept her in form and now we’re looking forward to this race going long again. She’s training well and I think she’ll run well.”
Leonel Reyes, who has enjoyed consistent success aboard the mare, retains the ride from stall three.
The chief obstacle once again appears to be Turino, who arrives seeking a third consecutive victory. Now trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., the five-year-old has been remarkably consistent since joining the stable and followed an optional claiming success over the same course and distance with her Monroe Stakes victory over Miss Mary Nell.
Joseph is strongly represented with five runners in the field. Alongside Turino are Little Jamie, City Minute, Hello Hello Hello and Make the Boys Wink, giving the leading stable considerable strength in depth.
Another intriguing contender is Vincey Girl, who makes her first start on turf after establishing herself as a stakes performer on the main track. Trainer Jose D’Angelo has long considered the switch in surface and believes the mare’s running style could be well suited to grass racing.
“We always thought the turf could help her a little bit,” D’Angelo said. “She’s an honest mare who always gives her best, and this looks the right opportunity to see how she handles it.”
Vincey Girl has finished in the first three on 10 occasions from 17 starts and returns after competing against top-level opposition in the Grade 2 Bed o’ Roses Stakes at Saratoga.
The remainder of the field includes stakes-placed Laigina, turf newcomer Calathea and former Key West overnight handicap winner Fantasy Performer, ensuring the Powder Break has assembled a deep and evenly matched line-up.
The race honours Florida-bred mare Powder Break, whose outstanding career during the mid-1980s saw her develop from modest beginnings into one of the state’s finest older mares. Her victories included prestigious Grade 1 and Grade 2 contests, and the race named in her honour continues to attract some of the region’s leading female turf performers.
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