BOXCAR!!! Reflex Action delivered one of the most stunning upsets of the Gulfstream Park winter meet, overcoming massive odds to capture Saturday’s Grade II Inside Information Stakes at seven furlongs on the main track. The five-year-old mare by Action Man had shown quality form with her Pumpkin Pie Stakes victory last fall, but few expected her to defeat a field loaded with Grade I performers and Breeders’ Cup participants. Racing for owner The Sidley Stud with Manuel Franco aboard, Reflex Action demonstrated tremendous heart and determination, stalking the pace before unleashing a powerful stretch drive to secure the $200.000 stakes victory. The triumph marked the biggest win of her career and validated connections’ patient approach with the mare after acquiring her at auction in late 2024.

Flow & Calls

As the gates opened for the Inside Information Stakes, Sabalenka broke alertly to establish early positioning, quickly moving to the front through an opening quarter-mile in :22.3 seconds. Reflex Action settled into a tracking position just behind the leader, with Franco confident in his mare’s tactical speed. Memphis Reins showed good early foot to position herself in the first flight, while Black Regazze raced prominently near the front. So Beautiful broke well and settled into mid-pack, with Lady Sammyantha also finding a comfortable position in the second division. Sabalenka maintained her advantage through the early stages, with Gigafemme settling toward the back of the field after breaking from the outside post. Bla Bla Bla found herself in mid-pack, while Este Nocha also raced in the middle of the group. Lady Lara and Grandest Lady brought up the rear in the early going.

Through the half-mile in :45.4 seconds, Sabalenka continued to show the way under Curtis, maintaining a controlled advantage while setting honest fractions. Reflex Action remained in perfect stalking position just off the leader’s flank, with Franco biding his time and rating his mare beautifully. Memphis Reins held her position in the first flight, while Black Regazze continued to race within striking distance of the leaders. Lady Sammyantha began to improve her position from the second division, moving closer to the front-runners. So Beautiful maintained her mid-pack position, while Gigafemme started to advance from the back of the field. Bla Bla Bla held her position in the middle of the pack, with Este Nocha racing nearby. Lady Lara and Grandest Lady continued to trail the field through the middle stages.

Approaching the stretch after six furlongs in 1:09.2 seconds, the race developed into a thrilling battle for supremacy. Sabalenka maintained her advantage as Curtis asked her for her best effort, but Reflex Action loomed ominously just behind, poised to strike. Lady Sammyantha launched a powerful bid with Velazquez in the saddle, moving into contention from her mid-pack position. Black Regazze continued to press forward under Bejarano, while Memphis Reins stayed within striking distance. Grandest Lady began to make steady progress from the back of the field. So Beautiful found herself outrun by the front-runners, while Gigafemme moved closer but had left herself too much to do. Bla Bla Bla and Este Nocha maintained their positions in the second flight. Lady Lara advanced from the back but faced a difficult task.

In the final furlong, Reflex Action displayed a devastating turn of foot under Franco’s confident handling, surging past Sabalenka to take command in the final strides. The mare dug in gamely, opening up by three-quarters of a length at the wire. Sabalenka fought courageously but had to settle for second after her honest pace-setting effort. Lady Sammyantha closed powerfully to secure third, just a nose behind the runner-up. Black Regazze stayed on well for fourth, another nose back. Grandest Lady completed her late rally to finish fifth. Memphis Reins held sixth after racing prominently throughout. Bla Bla Bla finished seventh. Este Nocha completed the course in eighth. Lady Lara finished ninth after her late bid proved insufficient. So Beautiful finished tenth. Gigafemme, the betting favorite carrying 128 pounds due to her Grade I La Brea Stakes victory, endured a disappointing eleventh-place finish.

Race Recap

The Inside Information Stakes produced a shocking result as Reflex Action delivered a perfectly-timed rally to upset a field of accomplished Grade I performers. The five-year-old mare demonstrated tactical brilliance and a powerful finishing kick, qualities that served her well against more decorated rivals. Manuel Franco rode with supreme patience, allowing Sabalenka to establish the pace before unleashing his mare’s late speed when it mattered most. The final time of 1:21.66 for seven furlongs on a fast track was excellent considering the competitive nature of the contest.

Sabalenka ran an excellent race in defeat, establishing honest fractions and battling gamely throughout the stretch before being worn down late. Her effort confirmed her progression through the ranks and suggests continued success at this level. Lady Sammyantha closed powerfully from mid-pack to secure third, demonstrating her class despite the weight of eight seasons of racing. The veteran mare remains a formidable competitor in distaff stakes. Black Regazze continued her consistent form with a solid fourth-place finish, confirming her status as a reliable performer at the graded stakes level. Grandest Lady rallied from the back of the field to finish fifth, her late run suggesting she may be rounding into form.

Memphis Reins finished a respectable sixth after racing prominently throughout, while Bla Bla Bla completed the course in seventh. Este Nocha finished eighth after her prominent early position. Lady Lara endured a disappointing ninth-place finish after her recent Grade I Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint runner-up effort, raising questions about her current condition following the recent ownership change. So Beautiful finished tenth, while Gigafemme suffered a stunning defeat in eleventh, the four-pound weight penalty from her Grade I La Brea Stakes victory proving costly as she failed to fire her usual kick.

The victory opens numerous options for Reflex Action, including possible starts in other prestigious distaff stakes throughout the winter and spring circuit. Connections may also consider campaigns toward major summer stakes at Saratoga, where the mare has previously shown quality form.

Each Runner Mentioned

Reflex Action delivered the performance of her career, demonstrating tactical brilliance and a powerful finishing kick to capture the Grade II Inside Information Stakes. The bay mare by Action Man out of Bally Useful was bred by Diablo Diablo in Kentucky and is currently owned by The Sidley Stud. With lifetime earnings now standing at $915.660 from 24 starts that include five victories, three seconds, and four thirds, Reflex Action has established herself as a legitimate player in the distaff stakes division.

Sabalenka ran an excellent race in defeat, establishing honest fractions and battling gamely throughout the stretch. Her effort confirmed her progression through the ranks and suggests continued success at the graded stakes level.

Lady Sammyantha closed powerfully from mid-pack to secure third place, demonstrating her class despite the weight of eight seasons of racing. The veteran mare remains a formidable competitor in high-level distaff stakes.

Black Regazze continued her consistent form with a solid fourth-place finish, confirming her status as a reliable performer at the graded stakes level.

Grandest Lady rallied from the back of the field to finish fifth, her late run suggesting she may be rounding into form after recent disappointments.

Memphis Reins finished a respectable sixth after racing prominently throughout the contest, gaining valuable graded stakes experience.

Bla Bla Bla completed the course in seventh after her prominent position through the early stages, unable to sustain her effort in the stretch.

Este Nocha finished eighth after racing in mid-pack throughout, never threatening the leaders in this competitive Grade II stakes.

Lady Lara endured a disappointing ninth-place finish after her recent Grade I Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint runner-up effort, raising questions about her current condition.

So Beautiful finished tenth after settling in mid-pack, unable to quicken when asked in the stretch drive.

Gigafemme suffered a stunning defeat in eleventh as the betting favorite, the four-pound weight penalty from her Grade I La Brea Stakes victory proving costly as she failed to fire her usual kick.

Track: Fast
Time: :22³  :45⁴  1:09²  1:21³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 8 – 7 Paid 678.10
$1 Trifecta: 8 – 7 – 6 Paid 1,644.70

Scratched: None

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES