BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Most Handsome bounced out the starting gate on top and led from flag to finish to score in the $75,000 Roar at Gulfstream Park Saturday. The Florida-bred son of Pleasant Acres Stallions’ Neolithic won for the second time in two starts, both sprinting five furlongs on the turf with Emisael Jaramillo aboard.
Most Handsome was quickest of six 3-year-olds when breaking from post three and promptly put a length on 2-1 second choice Turbulent Force, who started from post one and had a shot advantage on Mr. Binks on the outside and Ortley Avenue (Ire) between horse.
Jaramillo urged Most Handsome through a quick :20.63 quarter mile split with the trio of Mr. Binks, Ortley Avenue chasing in a joint second on the outside as Turbulent Force could not keep up on the rail.
Most Handsome drew off in the stretch to win by two-and-three-quarters lengths in :54.65 on firm course with Ortley Avenue second and Florida-bred Mati Gol making a good late run on the outside to finish third. They were followed in order by Mr. Binks, Turbulent Decent and Relator. Rolando was scratched.
Most Handsome paid $4.80 as the 7-5 favorite.
Owned by trainer Ronald Spatz with David Romanik, Most Handsome won a first level, $75,000 optional claiming by three-quarters of a length on April 18 after finishing fifth, but less than three lengths behind winner Incanto (Ire) after a poor start in the $102,000 Texas Glitter gong five furlongs on the turf at Gulfstream on March 22. In one other race this year, the bay gelding was third in a first level, $75,000 optional claiming won by Makeit to Cheyenne going five furlongs on the synthetic at Gulfstream on March 7.
Like his race in the Roar, Most Handsome had a quick start to his career, winning a maiden special weight in August and the $95,000 Hollywood Beach in September, both sprinting on the all-weather course at Gulfstream.
Most Handsome went through the auction ring at the 2024 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company March Sale but did not meet his reserve from the On Track consignment.
(Most Handsome’s Under Tack Video)
Most Handsome is out of the Florida-bred mare Precious Lady, by Songandaprayer and was bred in Florida by Julie Ann Jackson. He has now won four of seven races with a third while banking $191,910.
While Most Handsome is the only stakes winner for Precious Lady, she has produced winners from all eight starters and 10 foals. She has a yearling filly, Most Precious, by Mutasaabeq; and a weanling filly by Pleasant Acres Stallons’ Simplification, both bred in Florida by Felix and Dawn Quinoes. Felix Quinones purchased her for $1,500 at the 2020 OBS Winter Mixed Sale out of the Summerfield consignment.
Precious Lady, bred in Florida by Trilogy Stable, is out of the Ocala Stud Farm-bred Sisters Creek, by Pentelicus. Precious Lady is a half-sister to Grade 3-winning Florida-bred Yesbyjimminy, Florida-bred multiple stakes-winner Magic Mecke, Florida-bred stakes-winner A. J. Melini and graded stakes-placed Florida-bred Qureall.
Sisters Creek was a third-generation broodmare from the Ocala Stud Farm breeding operation, going back to the Distinctive mare Royal Ties, dam of the 1988 Bonnie Miss (G2) and Forward Gal (G3)-winning Florida-bred On to Royalty; and 1994 Boojum Handicap (G2)-winning Florida-bred Meritocrat.
Return to the May 17 issue of Wire to Wire
