BY BROCK SHERIDAN
With two seconds and a third in her last three starts this fall at Gulfstream Park, Florida-bred Etrurian looks primed for a breakthrough effort over the Hallandale Beach turf course in Saturday’s $100,000 Abundantia Stakes for fillies and mares, 3-years-old and older, at five furlongs. Joining the 4-year-old filly among in the field of 10 is Florida-bred Vindicate Cha Cha, a two-and-three-quarters-length winner of her last race sprinting on the Gulfstream Park all-weather course.
Owned by William and Corinne Heiligbrodt with trainer Joe Orseno, Etrurian tries to avenge each of her last four losses, all against fillies and mares entered in the Abundantia.
In August, Etrurian was fourth, two lengths behind winner Love Appeals after setting the pace in the $100,000 Incredible Revenge going five-and-a-half-furlongs on the Monmouth Park turf. Orseno then returned her to Florida for three starts against upper level, $62,500 optional claiming fillies and mare sprinters, first, finishing second, just a half-length shy of Choose Joy on the all-weather course on Oct. 3. She was then second to Flamingo Way going five furlongs on the grass on Oct. 31 before finishing third to Moon Spun at five furlongs back on synthetic last out on Nov. 27.
Etrurian got her career off to a fast beginning last year, winning three straight after taking a maiden special weight in her second race in July. Since, she has two seconds and three thirds in nine races and has pushed her career bankroll to $165,747.
A $100,000 purchased by the Heiligbrodts at the 2023 Ocala Breeders’ Sales June Sale of 2-year-olds in training and horses of racing age where she was consigned by Britton Peak, Etrurian is by Bucchero out of Imperial Strike, by Imperialism. She was bred in Florida by Wendy Lee Christ.
She is 8-1 on the morning line and will be ridden from post two by Edgard Zayas.
Michael Lerman will saddle Vindicate Cha Cha for owners Clear Stars Stable, Mitre Box Stable and Big Toe Stables. Mario Gutierrez is named to ride.
The speedy daughter of Ocala Stud stallion Adios Charlie exits a victory against first tier, $25,000 optional claiming fillies and mares going five furlongs on the all-weather course on Nov. 27, a race she won after leading from gate to wire.
That has been her only win this year in six starts, but she has two thirds—the last of which was in a $35,000 optional claiming, $25,000 starter allowance going five furlongs on the all-weather course. She was also third in a first level, $25,000 optional claiming at the same distance on Jan. 23.
Vindicate Cha Cha make her first start in stakes company with a career record of five wins in 18 starts with two seconds and five thirds and earnings of $192,550. Clear Star Stables selected her out of the Ocala Stud consignment at the 2023 OBS June Sale where she dropped the gavel at $40,000.
Bred in Florida by Ocala Stud and Centaur Farms Inc., Vindicate Cha Cha is out of Glamalert, by Vindication.
She will depart post nine.
Love Appeals is the 2-1 morning line favorite for trainer Miguel Clement and owner Moyglare Stud Farm Ltd.
The 5-year-old old mare is making her first start since Sept. 13 when second in the $150,000 Floral Park going six furlongs on the turf during the Belmont at Big A meet, her only start since winning the Incredible Revenge—a race she also won in 2024.
Love Appeals has three stakes victories among her 17 career starts with the $150,000 Autumn Days going six furlongs on the turf at Aqueduct in November of last year. By Speightstown, she has won six with two seconds while earning $445,165.
Tyler Gaffalione will ride Love Appeals for the first time and they have drawn post six.
Also entered are Mizoula (Fr) with David Egan in the irons, Flaming Way and jockey Jose Morelos, John Velazquez rides Sporting Lady, Haulin Ice with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle, Le Amazonia will be guided by Junior Alvarado, Moon Spun and pilot Javier Castellano and Choose Joy with Miguel Vasquez taking the assignment.
Run eight times since 2018, the Abundantia has three times been won by Florida-breds. Stone Silent won in 2023, Hear My Prayer took one of two divisions in 2021 and Code Warrior won one of two editions in 2018.
Return to the December 26 issue of Wire to Wire
