The FL Sire Stakes- My Dear ($300.000 Purse)
GP- For Fillies Two Years Old Foaled in FL
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Dirt
December 2, 2023

The FL Sire Stakes will be running on Saturday, and that will include the 19th running of the My Dear, which sends two-year-old fillies a little over a mile on the main track. Unfortunately, the $300.000 purse equals the low point for the race, an amount not seen since 2013, and down from $400.000 last year. We still end up with a quality field of seven and most of them have become accustomed to running in statebreds here in FL. That was the story for 2022 winner La Roo, who’s run in the My Dear was her fifth race in a FL-bred race in five starts and would see her move into the graded ranks. In May, she ran in the KYO and placed fourth and has remained in Grade 1’s even with her performances hitting a downturn. Here’s a look at our field for the 2023 running of the race!

#1- Spanish Roja (Riggins Racing, ridden by J Bravo)- All three of this filly’s races have been State Breds, and after winning the $60.000 Juvenile Fillies Sprint on Veteran’s Day, she caught the attention of Riggins Racing, who purchased her in private sales five days later for $125.000. This is not only their first race together, but it will be her first time running over a mile.

#2- Sitting Bulls Champ (Mb Stables, ridden by F Pennington)- The only horse in this field that took part in the BC last month. In that, Sitting Bulls Champ finished in the middle of the field, but never made her presence felt. That disappointed many, as at odds of 9/2, she was seen to be one of the top choices there thanks to hitting the board in the Spinaway and the Alcibiades. This is a good spot for her to bounce back.

#3- Captain Falcon (Smokey Stover, ridden by L Dettori)- Although the filly may not want to admit it, she did take part in the Susan six weeks ago, records show, but you probably didn’t notice her. Smokey Stover is not bothered by that, given her placement here, so we can have confidence that he has figured out why she ran so badly and that it will not happen again. If nothing else, she’s showing some highly inconsistent tendencies early in her career.

#4- Guilt Free (TwinTowersRacing, ridden by J Rosario)- One race and three works is all we have to go by with this one. That race did not see earn even a penny, as she was fifth at TUP and was soundly beaten. Probably just needed the race, and this is the type of race a maiden can win, but I wish I could have seen more works.

#5- Eduartin (Establo Pichon, ridden by J R Leparoux)- Like Guilt Free, she has only made on start but that is where the similarities come to an end. Eduartin was able to win that race, coming right here at GP at the end of October, and she went wire to wire to win by two lengths. If nothing else, that’s an impressive way to run in your first start and if she’s going to build on that, she’s dangerous. I’m not wowed by her mile works after that race, however.

#6- Stormy Breeze (Fractious, ridden by S Elliott)- After struggling here for the Vixen in September, Stormy Breeze had an impressive recovery as she would win the Susan with a wire-to-wire victory. Both of her career wins to this point have seen her use the front running tactic, so it might be a good bet that she uses that here as well. Perhaps the longer distance throws a wrench into that plan, and also it looks like there are others in here, too, who want to be quick right from the gate. Needs to show that the Vixen, and not the Susan, was the fluke.

#7- Improvised Sin (Asgar, ridden by A Ayuso)- Five of her six career starts have been against FL-Breds, and the only exception to that was the Schuylerville up at SAR. That didn’t go well, but while in Florida, she has been much better, and that includes good efforts in both the Vixen and the Susan, running second and third, respectively. After that, she also ran in the Juvenile Fillies Sprint where she was second to Spanish Roja. Runs long for the first time, and this race could suit her running style.

Prediction: 7-2-6-1

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded