Striking Finale will aim to secure her fourth victory in five starts for trainer Nolan Ramsey when she makes her stakes debut in the $75,000 Cellars Shiraz Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Friday. The 1 1/16-mile turf contest for three-year-old fillies will headline the track’s 10-race programme alongside the $75,000 Our Dear Peggy Stakes for two-year-old fillies over one mile on turf.
Owned by Daugherty Racing LLC and Kelly Ramsey, Striking Finale will return after a two-and-a-half-month break, having established an impressive record since joining Ramsey’s stable. The daughter of Hard Spun will face nine rivals as she steps into stakes company for the first time.
Striking Finale was claimed for $50,000 after finishing second in a Gulfstream Park race on April 23, her eighth career start. She subsequently opened her account for Ramsey in a 1 1/16-mile state-bred maiden special weight on Tapeta.
The filly narrowly missed victory in her first start against winners, finishing half a length behind in a one-mile turf allowance. She then responded with two convincing wins on turf, taking a 1 1/16-mile starter allowance before following up in a one-mile allowance for Florida-breds.
Ramsey’s confidence in the filly stems from her pedigree, consistency and ability to finish strongly over longer distances. He identified her as a horse suited to two-turn turf races after reviewing her previous performances and believes the additional distance will continue to benefit her.
The trainer also indicated that the Cellars Shiraz Stakes will provide an opportunity to test Striking Finale against a stronger level of competition after making the most of the conditions available to Florida-breds. Diego Herrera, who partnered her in her first four starts for the current connections, will retain the ride.
Cellars Shiraz Stakes Faces Strong Challenge from Day to Day
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., who will be at Keeneland for the Breeders’ Cup weekend, will have three representatives in the 10-horse Cellars Shiraz Stakes field: Day to Day, Pure Eloquence and Little Georgie.
Day to Day, owned by C2 Racing Stable LLC, BAG Racing Stables LLC, Barry Fowler and Mark Taylor, will enter the race after finishing second in the Grade 3 John C. Harris Stakes at Santa Anita on September 26. The daughter of McKinzie will also bring a Brookmeade Stakes victory and two additional placed finishes from the Colonial Downs meeting. Edwin Gonzalez will take the ride.
Pure Eloquence, owned by Miller Racing LLC, will make her second appearance following a six-month break. The supplemented entry won two of her first four starts and showed early speed in her comeback run. Micah Husbands will partner her.
Little Georgie, owned by J and J Stables LLC and Mr. and Mrs. Bayne Welker Jr., will seek her first career victory. The filly has recorded three placed finishes from five starts at Gulfstream Park but failed to make an impact in subsequent appearances at Colonial Downs and Kentucky Downs. Rasheed Hughes will be aboard for her return.
Another runner attracting attention will be Cryingintherain, owned by Mrs. Paul Shanahan and trained by Patrick Biancone. The daughter of Havana Grey will make her second North American appearance after beginning her career on Tapeta in Great Britain.
Cryingintherain finished sixth, beaten four lengths, in a five-furlong optional allowance on turf on September 27. Biancone considered that outing a preparatory run and suggested that Tapeta could suit the filly better than turf. J.G. Torrealba will retain the mount.
Undefeated Come On Teesha Steps Up to Stakes Company
Come On Teesha will arrive at the Cellars Shiraz Stakes unbeaten after winning both career starts. Owned by Michael Nyman and trained by Michael Morrison, the daughter of Improbable will make her stakes debut while tackling two turns for the first time.
She began her career under Joseph with a two-and-a-half-length victory in a maiden claiming race on August 24. After being acquired by Nyman for $30,000, she returned on September 27 for an optional claiming allowance, where she tracked the pace before pulling clear by two lengths in the stretch.
Jonathan Ocasio will take the ride for the first time as Come On Teesha attempts to extend her unbeaten record over the longer distance.
Super Sienna will also seek improvement after finishing sixth in an allowance race on her North American debut. Owned by Dona Licha Stables LLC and trained by Victor Barboza Jr., the supplemented daughter of Mendelssohn previously earned a Group 1 placing in Peru. Mario Gutierrez will partner her.
Bayou Brigid, owned by Sea Warrior Stables LLC; Bert’s Knoty Girl, owned by REH LLC; and Rogue Runner, owned by William G. Law Jr. and trained by Gary Jackson, will complete the field.
The Cellars Shiraz Stakes will offer Striking Finale an important first test at stakes level, with her recent turf form providing the foundation for her step up in class. The presence of unbeaten Come On Teesha, the experienced Day to Day and several returning runners will add depth to the contest.
Striking Finale will pursue her fourth win in five starts for Nolan Ramsey when she makes her stakes debut in the $75,000 Cellars Shiraz Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Friday. She will face nine rivals, including unbeaten Come On Teesha, Day to Day, Pure Eloquence and Super Sienna, over 1 1/16 miles on turf.
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