BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Morici Racing Stable LLC’s Ms. Bucchero took over from Simply Stated with a half mile to run, drew clear at the head of the stretch then held on to win the $100,000 Willa On the Move by a length at Laurel Park Friday. It was the first career stakes victory for Ms. Bucchero, who defeated four other fillies and mares, 3-years-old and older over six-and-a-half furlongs.
Ridden to victory by Xavier Perez for trainer Diane Morici, Ms. Bucchero broke quickest of all from post three before Simply Stated sprinted to the front from the inside post with Sheldon Russell up. Simply Stated kept a short advantage through a quarter mile in :22.23 before Ms. Bucchero took to the front entering the far turn with 7-5 favorite Malibu Beauty beginning to make up ground while three-wide in third.
After a half mile in :46.30, Ms. Bucchero kicked clear from Malibu Beauty turning for home and took a two-length lead past the furlong marker. Bourbon Bon Bay overtook Malibu Beauty for second but could not catch Ms. Bucchero, who finished up in 1:18.53 on the muddy and sealed track. Bourbon Bon Bay finished second, four lengths ahead of Malibu Beauty in third. Simply Stated and Mattitude completed the order of finish and Florida-bred Winkiwinki was scratched.
Ms. Bucchero paid $6 to win as the 2-1 second choice.
Bred in Florida by Pamela Edel, Ms. Bucchero is by Bucchero out of Give Glory to God, by Mutakddim. It was her second victory in five starts this year, adding to a two-length score against allowance fillies and mares at Laurel in June. She has now won half of her 14 career starts with three seconds and the $60,000 first-place checked increased her earnings to $264,950.
“We’ve been working the last couple months to put her on track for this race. Everything kind of lined up,” assistant trainer Colton Moore said. “We were a little nervous for the six-and-a-half [furlongs] but she’s a game horse. She brought her all like she usually does. We’re super happy with her.”
Give Glory to God has produced four winners, including two stakes-winners, from four starters and five foals. With Overdriven, she produced stakes-winning Florida-bred Red Crescent.
Ms. Bucchero is a graduate of the 2022 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale where she did not meet her reserve when consigned by Nice and Easy Thoroughbreds.
