BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Making his first start in more than a year, Cliff and Michele Love’s Damon’s Mound produced a resilient victory in the $75,000 Sunshine Sprint at Gulfstream Park Saturday. Making his first start for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, Damon’s Mound bested four other Florida-breds, 4-years-old and older over six furlongs.

Banded Rocket set the pace down the backstretch after breaking from post two as Damon’s Mound and jockey Junior Alvarado pressured the 30-1 longshot through the first two furlongs in a rapid :22.19. Banded Rocket and Leonel Reyes were still in front midway around the turn when 9-5 second choice Comedy Town began to press while four wide and 6-5 favorite Classify used a ground saving trip to move into contention. Banded Rocket gave way at the top of the stretch as Comedy Town took a short lead over Damon’s Mound and Classify on the rail after a half mile in :45.10. Those three were heads apart with a furlong to run when Damon’s Mound took a short lead to win by a neck in 1:09.80 on the fast track. Comedy Town was second, a length-and-a-quarter ahead of Classify in third. Gatsby finished fourth after hopping at the start and Banded Rocket was fifth. Loco Abarrio, Mish and Pure Class were scratched.

“He seems bigger and stronger right now,” Alvarado said. “He’s been working very good and when a good horse is coming from a big layoff for Mr. Mott, he always gets them ready. He always has them 120 percent ready, and that was the case today.”

Damon’s Mound paid $6.40 to win.

A winner of the 2022 Saratoga Special (Grade 2) at Saratoga Race Course in his second career start, Damon’s Mound won the Grade 2 Gallant Bob at Parx Racing and the $350,000 Rita Hilton Memorial at Charles Town in 2023. He finished his sophomore campaign with a fourth in the Grade 1 Malibu won by fellow Florida-bred Speed Boat Beach at Santa Anita in December of 2023 before going to the sidelines for more than 12 months.

Damon’s Mound has now won five with two seconds from a dozen starts and the $46,500 first place check increased his career earnings to $723,800.

Bred in Florida by Cliff Love of Friendswood, Tx., Damon’s Mound is by Girvin out of San Antonio Stroll, by Stroll. He is the only winner from two starters for San Antonio Stroll, who has an unraced 3-year-old colt, Grand Gesture, by Girvin; an unnamed 2-year-old filly by Girvin; and yearling colt by Ocala Stud stallion Roadster.

Return to the January 18 issue of Wire to Wire