BY BROCK SHERIDAN

J J Brevan Stable’s homebred Asher’s Edge won the first stakes of his career with a handy two-length victory in the $75,000 Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint at Gulfstream Park Saturday. Trained by David Fawkes, Asher’s Edge took advantage of the Bob Umphrey being moved off the turf and onto the synthetic Tapeta course where he had previously finished in the top three in six of seven races.

“I think he’s much better on the Tapeta, much better,” Fawkes said. “You watch him work on the Tapeta compared to the dirt, it’s a world of difference.”

Ridden by Edwin Gonzalez, Asher’s Edge sat second, a length-and-a-half behind Florida-bred Cruzin Man through the first two furlongs in :21.62. He moved to the outside of Cruzin Man around the turn and had a narrow lead turning for home before kicking clear in the stretch to win by two-and-three-quarters lengths. Abrir Caminos (Chi) finished second with Florida-bred Biz Biz Buzz another length farther back in third. Winfromwithin, Cruzin Man and Eamonn completed the order of finish. El Apagon (Chi), Florida-bred Louie the Sun King and Xy Speed were scratched.

“From the gate he broke really sharp.  I didn’t want to use him to put him there,” Gonzalez said. “I didn’t want to be in front, so I let the speed go. He told me when he wanted to go and he kept going.”

Asher’s Edge paid $8 to win.

“We talked about the outside post and I told Edwin, ‘You’ll be fine. There’s plenty of speed and you’ll be able to watch the race develop.’ He was stepping forward when the doors opened. He got a flyer, Edwin did a great job of letting the other horse go and he just sat there,” Fawkes said. “I was real happy when I looked up at the clock and I saw 21 and 4 for the opening quarter. You know, if they go too fast early it kills you. Edwin rode a great race.”

Asher’s Edge entered off an eighth-place finish behind winning Florda-bred Reef Runner in the $70,000 Warrior’s Pride overnight handicap going five furlongs on the turf on Aug. 3 and a fourth in the $70,000 Successful Native overnight handicap won by Florida-bred And Uwish going five-and-a-half furlongs on synthetic on July 6. His last two wins came in consecutive starts, the last a two-and-a-half-length score in a first condition, $25,000 optional claiming going five furlongs on grass in January. He also won a first condition, $20,000 optional claiming going five-and-a-half furlongs on the all-weather course in December. 

Asher’s Edge has now earned $212,170 from four wins with three seconds and three thirds in 14 starts, all at Gulfstream Park.

He is by Competitive Edge and is the first stakes winner out of Donelle, by Roman Ruler. Donelle has two winners from three starters from four foals. She has an unnamed weanling by Pleasant Acres Stallions’ Verifying.

Florida-breds have now won the last three versions of the Bob Umphrey and seven of the last eight. There have been 10 Florida-bred winners in all including Reef Runner (2024), Warrior’s Pride (2021-’22), Pay Any Price (2018 and 2020), Lady’s Island (2019), Silver Cloud (2013), Black Diamond Cat (2011) and Little Nick (2009).

Return to the September 20 issue of Wire to Wire