Say Florida Sandy
$135.000 For Four Year Olds and Upward Foaled In NY
7 Furlongs – Dirt
Aqueduct – February 14, 2026

The ninth running of the Say Florida Sandy brings five NY Breds to the starting gate to compete for the $135.000 purse. All five are coming into the race following strong efforts and appear to be in good form. With the small field it really is wide open for anyone to take down the win. 

1. Adrenaline (Nakamura Stables/J. Lezcano) Began his 2026 season with a third place finish in the G3 Hooper. Set the pace in that one before giving it up in the stretch. Cuts back to seven furlongs which is the distance at which he won the NY Stallion Series – Thunder Rumble late last year. Draws the rail and has the early speed to take advantage of that tactically. 

2. Kentucky Fox (Night Rider Stables/R. Gutierrez) Was claimed for $14.000 last July. He has won the two starts he has made since for the new barn and now steps up into stakes company for the first time. He won an open allowance race at Churchill Downs in his last start by two lengths, so it is a logical next step to give a state bred stakes race a try. His two races for the barn have been strong and the works are fast.

3. Bronze Crown (TwinTowersRacing/D. Davis) Has not won a race since late 2024. He made seven graded stakes starts last year but failed to hit the board in any of those efforts. Made a strong seasonal debut in an optional claimer at Gulfstream Park which might indicate a return to form. He has been working well which would also seem to support that.

4. Boris The Spider (South Shore Stable/S. Civaci) Broke his maiden in his last race which was his ninth trip to the starting gate. It was his first start as a five-year-old and although his resume is not the most impressive it was his third straight good effort with each race getting progressively better. Lightly raced and may just have taken a little bit longer to develop. Seems like a big leap from breaking his maiden to this race but it might just be within his maturity curve.

5. A Boy Named Kate (D J C Racing Stable/Jam Rodriguez) Since being claimed in 2024 he has put together a very good series of eleven races where he has hit the board nine times. Trainer now seeks to take a step up in class and tries stakes company for the first time since that claim. Has been working fast including a 1:36.07 mile at Gulfstream at the end of January. Seems very ready for this.

There are several in here that could be the pick, but I think with a lot of speed in the field it sets up well for A Boy Named Kate on the outside. Second choice will be Adrenaline who has five straight stakes placings and tactical speed from the rail. Kentucky Fox is my third choice based on his two very strong races since being claimed.  

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded