Second Straight Memorial Day Sprint Victory With A Florida-bred for Trainer Joseph

BY BROCK SHERIDAN

After winning last year’s Memorial Day Sprint with Florida-bred Spirit Wind, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. returned to Lone Star Park Monday to defend his title in the $100,000 contest, this time with 2024 Florida-bred Horse of the Year Mystic Lake. Owned by C2 Racing Stable, Mystic Lake was a convincing winner of the six-furlong test in the slop, defeating nine other fillies and mares, 3-years-old and older, by two lengths as the 3-5 favorite.

With Luis Saez riding, Mystic Lake led from the start to finish the first quarter mile in :22.42 under pressure from Youalmosthadme before getting clear around the far turn to complete the half-mile in :45.17. She drew off in the stretch to win by two lengths in 1:10.63 ahead of Too Much Kiki in second with Mischievous Gal three-parts of length farther back in third. Dashingly, Holly Dolly, Reclusive, Youalmosthadme, Rose Palace, Blushing Belle and Honest completed the order of finish. Faith Alone was scratched.

Mystic Lake paid $3.20 to win.

It was the second win this year for Mystic lake after she took the Grade 2 Inside Information presented by MyRaceHorse going seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25. She then finished fourth to Positano Sunset in the Grade 1 Resolute Racing Madison at Keeneland on April 25 and ninth behind winner Kopion in the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff presented by Kendall-Jackson on the Kentucky Derby undercard at Churchill Downs on May 3.

Last year during her Horse of the Year campaign, Mystic Lake won five of nine starts to lead all Florida-breds in earnings with $838,908. Among her wins in 2024 were the Grade 3 Miss Preakness at Pimlico, the Grade 2 Charles Town Oaks, the Listed Sugar Swirl at Gulfstream Park and two stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

She now has eight wins in 17 starts with three seconds and a third with earnings of $1,122,542. Mystic Lake is by Mo Town out of Salty Soul, by Itsmyluckyday and was bred in Florida by Peggy Costanzo. She is the only foal out of Salty Soul.

A two-time graduate of Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company, Mystic Lake was a $3,500 purchase as a yearling by Tom McCrocklin as agent out of the Summerfield consignment at the 2022 October Sale. McCrocklin then consigned her as agent to the 2023 March Sale where Turf Express Racing Partners paid $130,000 to acquire her.
(Mystic Lake’s Under Tack Video)

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