The Honey Fox Stakes 2026 takes centre stage at Gulfstream Park this Saturday, the 41st renewal of the one-mile turf contest for older fillies and mares forming part of a glittering afternoon of graded action. Run as the seventh of nine stakes on a card worth over $2 million in purses, the race adds depth and intrigue beneath the headline act, the Coolmore Fountain of Youth (G2), itself a key stepping stone toward the Curlin Florida Derby (G1).
Post time for the first of 14 races is 11:30 a.m. ET, with the Honey Fox Stakes 2026 promising a searching test over the grass.
Crevalle d’Oro Returns to Preferred Trip in Honey Fox Stakes 2026
Michael and Jules Iavarone and TCC Stables’ Crevalle d’Oro arrives for her 21st career start and third outing since being purchased for $500,000 at Keeneland’s November Sale and transferred to the care of trainer Jose D’Angelo.
The five-year-old mare made an immediate impact for her new connections, grinding out a determined head victory at odds of 10-1 in the Suwannee River over the same course and distance on December 20. She followed that effort with a brave display in the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf, overcoming early interference before finishing a half-length behind Destino d’Oro.
“She has run good for us, especially the last time. She was just a bit unlucky at the end,” D’Angelo said. “Now she is back to the one mile, which I think is her best distance. We don’t have a good post position from the outside, but she is doing great.”
Drawn in Post 10, Crevalle d’Oro will need to work out a trip from the widest gate, yet her recent consistency in graded company makes her a leading player in the Honey Fox Stakes 2026. She previously placed in the Selene Stakes (G3) at Woodbine Racetrack for her former connections, underlining her quality at this level.
Movin’ On Up Seeks Redemption
Ken Ramsey’s Movin’ On Up (Post 6) has been knocking firmly on the door. Beaten only a head by Crevalle d’Oro in the Suwannee River, she later struck the front in the stretch of the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf before yielding late to finish third.
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. believes her recent defeats are more a matter of circumstance than ability.
“She’s been kind of against the pace, where she’s into a fast pace and probably sat a little too close and just got run down,” Joseph said. “If she fires her best and gets the right kind of trip, she can get the job done.”
A dual winner during last winter’s Championship Meet, Movin’ On Up has also placed in graded events including the Distaff Turf Mile (G2) and Mint Julep Stakes (G3), bringing proven class into the Honey Fox Stakes 2026 line-up.
Stablemates Add Depth
Joseph is triple-handed. Silver Moonlight (Post 1) enters on a three-race winning streak, all on turf, and has shown marked improvement with maturity. From the inside draw, she may secure a ground-saving journey.
Public Defender (Post 8), purchased privately after a productive spell that included victory in the Nellie Mae Cox Handicap at Colonial Downs, was a rallying third in the Suwannee River. Her subsequent eighth in the Endeavour Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs came after a wide trip throughout, and connections are willing to forgive the effort.
Favourite Carries Top Credentials
Dixiana Farms’ Lush Lips (Post 9) brings the most imposing résumé. A Grade 1 winner and earner of nearly $1 million, she was first or second in nine of 11 starts and concluded her three-year-old season with consecutive victories in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) and Mrs. Revere Stakes (G2). Trainer Brendan Walsh captured this race last year and will look to repeat with a filly whose late kick has become her hallmark.
Among the others, Super Zonda, Classic Q, Fantastic Flame, Gata Brazil and Irish-bred Queen’s Command ensure the Honey Fox Stakes 2026 is no straightforward assignment for any contender.
Named for the Florida-bred mare Honey Fox, whose five-race winning streak in 1980-81 included the Suwannee River and Orchid, the race honours a durable campaigner who later added the Black Helen and Columbiana to her résumé. This year’s edition appears equally competitive, a fitting tribute to her legacy.
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