Miss Mary Nell secured a narrow victory in the $60,000 Time Passage Handicap at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, while Mattingly delivered a dominant performance to win the $60,000 Carotari Handicap by 4¾ lengths. Both contests took place on the all-weather Tapeta course, with the two winners producing notable performances in the meeting’s pair of overnight handicaps.
The Time Passage Handicap, contested over one mile and 70 yards, was open to fillies and mares aged three and above. The Carotari Handicap followed over five and a half furlongs for horses aged three and older.
Miss Mary Nell Claims Time Passage Handicap
Representing Palm Beach Racing V, Miss Mary Nell produced a determined finish to claim the Time Passage Handicap by a neck. Ridden by Jonathan Ocasio for trainer Carlos David, the mare completed the distance in 1:40.97 to register her eighth career victory.
The success marked her seventh win in 14 starts on a synthetic surface and her third in a stakes event. Ocasio partnered her for the third consecutive race and guided her through a challenging passage during the closing stages.
Minty broke alertly from the inside post and established the early pace, recording the opening quarter-mile in 23.29 seconds. Lets Go Koko tracked the leader before taking command after the half-mile mark in 47.02 seconds. Candy Quest also moved into contention, while Miss Mary Nell settled between Oshala and Ashima.
After six furlongs in 1:11.40, Ocasio manoeuvred Miss Mary Nell between runners to improve her position around the far turn. The mare then challenged Candy Quest on the outside and maintained her effort through the closing stages before edging ahead in the final 50 yards.
Fantasy Performer produced a late run along the rail to finish second, getting past Candy Quest by a neck. Oshala finished fourth, followed by Ashima, Lets Go Koko, Simply Striking and Minty.
Bred in Florida by Palm Beach Racing III, Miss Mary Nell pushed her career earnings beyond $400,000 with the victory. She had previously won the Ginger Punch at Gulfstream Park on September 12 by three-quarters of a length before finishing third in the Daring Kathy Overnight Handicap on October 10.
Mattingly Dominates Carotari Handicap
Mattingly produced an impressive performance in the $60,000 Carotari Handicap, taking control in the stretch and pulling away to secure a commanding 4¾-length victory.
Owned by Ironhorse Racing Stable and Harlow Stables, the five-year-old was ridden by Diego Herrera and trained by Joe Orseno. He completed the five-and-a-half-furlong contest in 1:02.33, recording his fourth victory from six career starts on synthetic surfaces.
Herrera positioned Mattingly in fourth place on the outside as Esperon led the field through the opening quarter-mile in 22.05 seconds. Wildncrazynight and Full Disclosure followed closely behind.
The jockey began advancing midway around the far turn, and Mattingly responded with a strong move to take the lead after the half-mile mark in 44.73 seconds. He then extended his advantage through the stretch to secure the decisive victory.
Louie the Sun King finished second, two lengths ahead of Wildncrazynight. Full Disclosure took fourth place, while Diciassette, Takecareofbusiness, Esperon and Wootun completed the order of finish.
The victory marked an important return to form for Mattingly, who had previously won the five-furlong Bob Umphrey Sprint at Gulfstream Park on September 12 by a neck. His latest success continued his strong record on the Tapeta surface.
Bred in Florida by Baoma Corp., Mattingly was gelded in August. Trainer Joe Orseno indicated that the change had helped the five-year-old and described the performance as the breakthrough he had been seeking.
The two handicap contests produced contrasting victories at Gulfstream Park. Miss Mary Nell secured her success through a determined late challenge, while Mattingly established a clear advantage to win the sprint comfortably.
Miss Mary Nell won the $60,000 Time Passage Handicap by a neck, while Mattingly captured the $60,000 Carotari Handicap by 4¾ lengths. Jonathan Ocasio and Diego Herrera partnered the respective winners.
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