Trainer Carlos David has resisted the temptation to rush Hot Rod Honey into stronger company, choosing instead to give the unbeaten juvenile another opportunity to develop at home. The decision puts the promising filly at the centre of Saturday’s $100,000 Scandalous Act for Florida-bred two-year-old fillies at Gulfstream Park.
Scandalous Act Stakes 2026 shapes as an important early test for Florida-bred juvenile fillies.
Hot Rod Honey will face five rivals over six furlongs on the main track, with fellow stakes winner Liberty Rings and the lightly raced Mon Coquette among those attempting to end her unbeaten run. The race is the feature of Gulfstream’s 10-race Saturday programme, which begins at 12:10 p.m.
Owned by Troy Johnson, Wendell Yates and Robert Fritts, Hot Rod Honey has done little wrong in two appearances. The daughter of Grade 1 winner Roadster began with a five-furlong maiden victory against Florida-breds on June 5 before stepping into open company for the Sharp Susan on July 3.
That second appearance produced an even more authoritative performance. Settled off the early pace, she finished strongly and drew clear by 4¼ lengths over 5½ furlongs, taking her combined winning margin from two starts to 5½ lengths.
David believes the gradual increase in distance should suit a filly whose racing style has already shown a degree of patience.
“When you have these two-year-old fillies, the goal is to stretch them out to see if they can get the two turns eventually,” David said. “She’s stretching out a little bit after the Sharp Susan win. The way she positions herself in the race, it kind of fits her.”
The possibility of travelling with Hot Rod Honey was considered after that success, but her connections decided another race in familiar surroundings would better serve her development.
Rather than make a major jump immediately, David wants to allow the filly to progress through the levels before considering larger autumn targets.
Leonel Reyes retains the ride from Post 4. Hot Rod Honey has prepared for the Scandalous Act Stakes 2026 with two strong half-mile workouts at Palm Meadows, most recently completing the distance in 49.85 seconds on August 2.
Liberty Rings Returns to Familiar Ground
Liberty Rings provides one of the more intriguing challenges. Trained by Nicholas Palmer for Teresa and David Palmer, she returns to Gulfstream after finishing seventh in the six-furlong Debutante at Churchill Downs on June 28.
Palmer felt the conditions that day did not allow the daughter of Awesome Slew to show her best and is looking forward to seeing her back on a surface she knows.
Liberty Rings had shown considerable promise earlier in the season. After finishing third on debut at Gulfstream in April, she switched surfaces for the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies on May 9 and made all the running to score by 1¼ lengths.
She starts from Post 5 under Miguel Vasquez and enters the Scandalous Act Stakes 2026 with the chance to establish herself as a serious contender among Florida-bred juveniles.
Mon Coquette Steps Up After Winning Debut
Mon Coquette is the least experienced of the principal contenders but arrives with an encouraging first impression behind her.
The Victor Barboza Jr-trained filly, owned and bred by Vincente Stella Stables, won her five-furlong debut at Gulfstream on July 18 by 2½ lengths after showing speed throughout.
Saturday’s assignment comes only three weeks later, although Barboza believes the six-furlong distance should suit.
“I think the filly has good quality,” he said. “The race came up and the distance is perfect for my filly. She is a very good filly. I think she is ready for the race.”
Samy Camacho rides from Post 2.
Completing the six-filly field are Boots from Post 1 under Jose Morelos, Jost a Chance Yadi from Post 3 with Anthony Thomas, and Colombina from Post 6 under Diego Herrera.
Colombina brings particularly relevant form into the contest after finishing second in the Sharp Susan, the same race in which Hot Rod Honey produced her emphatic latest victory.
For Hot Rod Honey, Saturday is another measured step rather than a dramatic leap. Victory in the Scandalous Act Stakes 2026 would preserve her unbeaten record while giving David and her connections further evidence about how far her ability might eventually take her.
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