BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Under a tactical ride by Samy Camacho, Florida-bred Cynster settled three lengths off the speed duel of The Secret Ana and Stellar Queen then went at the leaders in deep stretch to get the best of a four-horse blanket finish in a maiden $50,000 optional claiming for 2-year-old fillies at Gulfstream Park Sunday. Under the unique conditions of the race, Cynster, as the lone Florida-bred, raced under maiden special weight conditions while the other three starters competed under optional claiming rules.
Trained by Beau Chapman for owner Cynthia Screnci, Cynster was making her first career start and earned $25,750 of the $38,425 purse.
Cynster also garnered a $25,000 Florida Sire Racing Incentive bonus with $20,000 going to Screnci as owner and $5,000 going to breeder Alicia Guerra of Ocala.
Capped at $1 million in 2026 and administered by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, the FSRI program will pay the $25,000 bonus to every eligible Florida-sired, Florida-bred winner of a maiden special weight, allowance, allowance optional claiming and stakes run at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs.
The Secret Ana and Stellar Queen where heads apart though quarter-mile splits of :21.71 and :44.90 before Camacho sent Cynster at the leaders down the lane. Cynster was deliberate in wearing down the two front-runners, sticking a neck in front under the wire in :57.86. La Leal also rallied, coming from last of four to get second, a nose in front of Stellar Queen in third with The Secret Ana another nose farther back in fourth. American Reign, My Last Bucky and Zacarra were scratched.
Cynster paid $5.60 to as the 9-5 second choice.
Cynster is by Leinster out of the Awesome Again mare Awesome Song and is a two-time graduate of Ocala Breeders’ Sales. She sold for $30,000 to Cardozo’s Brothers Training and Sales at the 2025 OBS October Yearling Sale where she was consigned by Beth Bayer then was purchased by Steve Screnci for $18,000 at this year’s March Sale where she was consigned by RM Stables.
Return to the October 6 issue of Wire to Wire
