BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Multiple graded stakes-winner Mystic Lake and multiple stakes-winner Nic’s Style will carry the Florida flag into Gulfstream Park Saturday as strong contenders in the Grade 2 Inside Information. The $215,000 Inside Information, for fillies and mares going seven furlongs, includes a $15,000 bonus for Florida-breds presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.

Both fillies will be making their first starts in 2025 after accomplished campaigns last year.

Mystic Lake led all Florida-bred runners in 2024 with revenues of $838,908 for owners C2 Racing Stable and Stefania Farms LLC while winning five of nine starts with two seconds.

Among her triumphs last year were the Grade 2 Charles Town Oaks at seven furlongs in August, the Grade 3 Miss Preakness going six furlongs at Pimlico in May, the $133,000 Sugar Swirl at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 21 and the $75,000 Gasparilla and $100,000 Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies, both at seven furlongs at Tampa Bay Downs in January and March respectively. 

 

A victory Saturday will make Mystic Lake the 185th Florida-bred millionaire as she enters with a career bankroll of $901,354 from six wins, three seconds and a third in 13 races.

She is a two-time graduate of Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company having last sold for $130,000 to Turf Express Racing Partners at the 2023 March Sale where she was consigned by Tom McCrocklin. McCrocklin purchased her as an agent for $3,500 at the 2022 OBS October Yearling where she was consigned by Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck’s Summerfield

Mystic Lake is by Mo Town out of Salty Soul, by Itsmyluckday and was bred in Florida by Peggy Costanzo.

The 4-year-old filly is trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., currently the leading trainer at the track’s winter Championship Meet. She is the 2-1 morning line favorite and will break from post seven with leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr.

Stephen Rousseau’s Nic’s Style enters off two consecutive stakes victories having won the $150,000 Pumpkin Pie at Aqueduct on Nov. 3 and the $98,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes City of Ocala at Tampa Bay Downs on Dec. 14, both going seven furlongs.

 

The 5-year-old daughter of Uncaptured has a stellar record of five wins in six career starts with a second while earning $328,400. Her only loss came when second to Ways and Means in the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom over a sloppy six-and-a-half furlongs at Aqueduct in September.

Rousseau selected her out of the Summerfield consignment at the 2021 OBS October Yearling Sale where she went for $25,000.

Nic’s Style is out of Sense When, by Street Sense and was bred in Florida by Ken D’Oyen of Carson, Calif., in the name of his D’Oyen Thoroughbreds.

Nic’s Style is trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott and she will again have Junior Alvarado in the irons. They have drawn post two and are 5-1 in the program.

Mystic Lake and Nic’s Style will try to join a long list of Florida-bred winners of the Inside Information. Maryquitecontrary (2023), Classic Point (2015) and Musical Romance (2012) won the race under it’s current title while Splendid Blended (2006), U Can Do It (1998), Nannerl (1992), Social Pro (1989), Tappiano (1988), Chic Belle (1984) and Sober Jig (1981) won the race when it ran under the Shirley Jones Handicap moniker.

Fillies and mares set to take on the two Florida-bred stars this year include Miuccia and jockey John Velazquez, Sterling Silver with Jose Ortiz named to ride, Haulin Ice will have Edwin Gonzalez up, Dazzling Move with Jorge Ruiz taking the call, Luis Saez rides Jody’s Pride, Olivia Darling will have David Egain in the saddle and Emery will tote Tyler Gaffalione.

Return to the January 23 issue of Wire to Wire