BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Florida-bred Wayne’s Law raced several lengths behind the speed dual of Strategic Reserve and 6-5 favorite Road Forever before running by the two front-runners in the stretch to win the $72,750 Aventura by seven-and-quarter lengths at Gulfstream Park Saturday. Trained by Amador M. Sanchez for Baalbek Corp., Wayne’s Law was the best of four 2-year-olds going a mile.
Jockey Marcos Meneses had Wayne’s Law breaking on top out of post two but allowed Strategic Reserve to his inside and Florida-bred Road Forever from post four to hook up on the lead for the long run to the far turn. Strategic Reserve was a head on front of Road Forever through splits of :24.18 and :46.85 as Wayne’s Law remained five lengths back before beginning to catch up with three-eighths of a mile to run. Road Forever put away Strategic Reserve at the top of the stretch but Wayne’s Law was now a threat on the far outside. Wayne’s Law went by Strategic Reserve at the eighth pole then pulled away with ease to win in 1:40.84 on the fast track. Road Forever was three-quarters of a length ahead of Strategic Reserve in second with Florida-bred Metodo fourth and last. After Party and Rammaas were scratched.
“At the three-eighths, I saw the two horses in front of me try to go, but I caught them so easily. From the three-eighths I knew we’d do it,” Meneses said. “We’ve been working a lot with this horse. He’s a baby. He had little problems in his first two races. He’s growing up. He did better today.”
Wayne’s Law paid $7 to win.
“We looked at the race and there were only two horses that had speed, so the plan worked out perfect,” Sanchez said. “Marcos made his move on the turn and they kept coming in the stretch.”
Third to next-out Proud Man Stakes-winning Florida-bred Diciassette in his debut at Gulfstream Park on July 20, Wayne’s Law came back strong in his second race to win a six-and-a-half-length maiden special weight for Florida-breds by six-and-three-quarters lengths on Aug. 30.
Wayne’s Law is by Tiz the Law and earned $45,000 for winning the Aventura and now has $75,530 in his three starts.
Baalbek Corporation purchased Wayne’s Law for $25,000 out of the JP Thoroughbreds consignment at this year’s Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale. Wayne’s Law is a two-time graduate of OBS but did not meet his reserve in last year’s Winter Mixed Sale.
“We felt really good about this horse,” Sanchez said. “We bought him at the sales at OBS and he didn’t cost much. We saw the pedigree and I like Tiz the Law. The mile for me today was better than six furlongs last time, and he ran really good.
“For the moment we don’t have a next race. We’ll check the horse after the race and if everything is good we’ll make a plan. We ran the horse in a short time and now we’ll take some time. We’re very proud of him.”
Wayne’s Law is out of Mollie Merisa, by Harlan’s Holiday and was bred in Florida by Margaret McFarland. Mollie Merisa has five starters from six foals, four of which are winners. Wayne’s Law is a half-brother to Florida-bred stakes-winner Sea Art, by Klimt, who was bred by Wayne McFarland. Mollie Merisa was bred to Florida-bred stallion Pappacap in 2025. K. W. McFarland purchased Mollie Merisa while carrying Sea Art for $27,000 at the 2018 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. She is a full-sister to stakes-placed and graded stakes-producer Holiday’s Jewel.
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