Excitement is building at Gulfstream Park as two-year-olds gear up for next Saturday’s second leg of the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes (FSS) — a day promising both fresh rivalries and new rising stars. The spotlight falls squarely on Finding Strength and Mythical, two fillies poised for a captivating showdown in the $200,000 Susan’s Girl Stakes.
Michael Yates’ Finding Strength returns after a heartbreaking nose defeat in the Desert Vixen Stakes last month, where she was edged out by Lennilu. With Lennilu now targeting the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar, the stage is clear for Finding Strength to seize her moment.
Across the gate, Mythical—trained by Jorge Delgado for Arindel—brings Grade 3-winning class back to Gulfstream after testing Saratoga’s elite in the Spinaway (G1). She returns to familiar territory where she first dazzled with a debut win in April and a commanding score over colts in the Tremont. Her return adds a thrilling national layer to Florida’s local stars.
The 12-strong Susan’s Girl field also includes promising names such as Love Like Lucy, who was third in the Desert Vixen, and new faces like Blazing Bridgette from the Kenny McPeek barn, and Sister Hustle, who impressed with a 12¼-length romp at Presque Isle Downs for Joe Orseno.
Camigol Aims for Redemption in $200,000 Affirmed Stakes
The $200,000 Affirmed, the open division’s second leg of the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes, shapes up as another competitive affair over seven furlongs. Antonio Sano’s Camigol, runner-up in the Dr. Fager Stakes, returns seeking to convert his consistent form into victory.
Camigol has shown both speed and resilience, having run a strong third in the Saratoga Special (G3) before his Gulfstream return. With Fourth and Central sitting this one out, Camigol will need to fend off familiar rivals like Trelawny, trained by Jose Pinchin, who finished just three-quarters of a length behind him in the Dr. Fager.
Fresh challengers arrive too — Wootun (Heather Smullen), Micanopy and Khozalite (both for Jose D’Angelo), and Patrick Biancone’s Squire, who switches back to dirt after a brief turf experiment in the Hollywood Beach. Each brings fresh intrigue to what could be one of the most open editions of the Affirmed in recent memory.
Mr. Jordan Handicap Adds Depth to Gulfstream Card
Adding even more excitement to the 12-race card is the $70,000 Mr. Jordan Handicap, a mile test for older horses. Nine seasoned campaigners line up, led by Lure Him In (Sam Wilensky), Steal Sunshine (Bobby DiBona), Hades (Joe Orseno), Classic of Course (Patrick Biancone), and Lightning Tones (Jose Castro). The race promises an evenly matched field brimming with experience and versatility.
With full fields across the board, Gulfstream Park’s second leg of the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series underscores the strength of Florida’s breeding program and the growing national relevance of its young talent.
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