1/16/22

  8    TAM     The Gasparilla Stakes

     $125.000   3yoF    7f Dirt   120lbs +penalties

Dividends indeed… making her first start for Iolaus Racing after being sold just prior to the end of the year, Orange Creek closed determinedly in seven furlong Gasparilla Stakes and earned her first stakes score by a neck.  The final running time was 1:22 flat and the chestnut was overlooked by the betting public, sent off at nearly 30/1.  Broomstick Storm did all of the heavy lifting, and was also dismissed at 11/1 odds, holding to be take the place by three-quarters of a length over Grand General.  Threaded was a neck back in fourth.

Orange Creek is a 3yo chestnut filly by Apples To Oranges – Sports Creek, by Lannisport, and she was bred in ON by Estero Farms.  Purchased by Iolaus Racing prior to this race for $200.000, as mentioned this was her first stakes win.  She shows three lifetime wins from five starts and now has earnings of $112.800. 

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast          Time: :23¹  :46¹  1:09⁴  1:22
$1 Exacta: 7 – 8 Paid 492.10      $1 Trifecta: 7 – 8 – 2 Paid 824.40
Scratched: None

Orange Creek off a step slow and rated back to the turn, moved up quickly 3p when asked, 4p lane getting up in the final strides.  Broomstick Storm sent from the gate, set the pace to the final 150-yards, ceded.  Grand General mid-pack backstretch, lost ground into the turn between foes, moved to the rail for the drive, best foot too late.  Threaded pressed the pace, out-kicked late.  Botched rated, no response.  Zauberhafte Blume saved ground, tired late.  Storm Force was never involved.  Blooming Flowers was outrun.  Rig For Red flashed some early speed, tired. 

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded