BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Jockey Joel Rosario and Epona’s Hope went right to the front from the start then held off odd-on favorite Just a Care (Ire) for her first career stakes victory in the $135,000 Ladie’s Turf Sprint at Gulfstream Park Saturday. Florida-bred Epona’s Hope bested eight other fillies and mares, 4-years-old and older going five furlongs on the turf. Her $82,400 payday included $8,000 in Florida-bred bonus money presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owner’s Association and third-place finisher Karaya picked up a $2,000 Florida-bred bonus.
Epona’s Hope shot out of post eight to put a quick length on Shoshanah in second as Blind Spot moved into third from the inside post. Epona’s Hope stretched her lead to two lengths around the turn after a blazing a :21.10 quarter mile as Just a Care began making her move while circling four-wide.
Epona’s Hope was still three lengths clear at the top of the stretch as Just a Care moved into second with a fast-closing run. Just a Care converged rapidly in the final strides but missed by head as Epona’s Hope hit the wire in :55.02 on the firm turf. Just a Care was a length ahead of Florida-bred Karaya in third. Weekend Rags, Sinead, Freedom Sparks, Florida-bred Beauty of the Sea, Shoshanah and Blind Spot completed the order of finish.
Trained by Eddie Plesa Jr., Epona’s Hope paid $11.60 to win.
“She ran a big race, didn’t she?” Plesa said. “I think Joel rode an outstanding race on her. She was the controlling speed in the race. I liked the way he got her to relax. He rode her so confidently. Coming into this race she was just doing fantastic. The guys at the barn did a great job. It’s not a big surprise to me the way she ran. I thought she’d be right there.”
Epona’s Hope was the fourth Florida-bred winner in the last five runnings of the Ladies Turf Sprint and sixth overall. Previous Florida-bred winners were Believe in Charlie (2014), Jewel of a Cat (2015), Lady’s Island (2021), Miss Auramet (2022) and Stone Silent (2023).
The 4-year-old daughter of Ocala Stud stallion Adios Charlie has now won four of her last six races including a second condition, $62,500 optional claiming going five furlongs on Jan. 12. She is also three for four with a third on the Gulfstream Park turf including a neck victory against first condition, $75,000 optional claiming fillies in April.
“She just won her two-other-than allowance, and after that there are no other races for her,” Plesa said. “[The Ladies’ Turf Sprint] was on our radar even before she won her last race. Coming into her last race she was training excellent and we felt confident in her, and she just boosted our confidence in this race.”
Out of Alotofappeal, by Trippi, Epona’s Hope has now won five of 11 career starts with a second and three thirds while banking $294,738 for owners Leon Ellman, Glassman Racing LLC and Laurie Plesa. She was bred in Florida by Ocala Stud, Edward Wiest and William J. Terrill.
She was purchased by her current owners for $295,000 out of the 2023 Ocala Breeders’ Sales March Sale where she was consigned by Ocala Stud.
(Epona’s Hope’s Under Tack Video)
Epona’s Hope is the third Florida-bred stakes winner out of Alotofappeal, who also produced 2022 OBS Sophomore-winner King Cab with Noble Bird and 2011 Blue Mountain-winner B C’s Train, by Silver Train. Alotofappeal produced stakes-placed runners Day Drunk, by Officer; graded stakes-placed Schivarelli, by Montbrook; stakes-placed Sonoma Crush and graded stakes-placed Talk Logistics, both by High Cotton; and stakes-placed Big Rings, by The Big Beast. Among her 13 foals are 10 winners from 12 starters and an unnamed yearling filly by Ocala Stud stallion Roadster. She was bred back to Roadster in 2024.
Return to the February 8 issue of Wire to Wire
