BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has entered Florida-bred Mystic Lake in both the Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Ballerina at Saratoga to be run Saturday and Friday’s $250,000 Misty Bennett Pink Ribbon at Charles Town Races, giving him options for the 2024 FTBOA Horse of the Year.

Mystic Lake is one of nine fillies and mares ready to go seven furlongs in the $500,000 Ballerina including 5-2 morning line choice Scylla for trainer William Mott. Mystic Lake is 10-1 on the morning line and has Ricardo Santana Jr. named to ride from post one.

A victory in the Ballerina would place Mystic Lake in a club of Florida-bred winners that includes Turbulent Descent in 2012, Lady Tak (2004), Chaposa Springs (1996), Spinning Round (1993), Proper Evidence (1989) and Gene’s Lady (1986).

Should Joseph choose the Pink Ribbon, Mystic Lake would be one of four fillies and mares in that seven-furlong contest offering $250,000 in prize money. Mystic Lake has drawn post four and Tyler Gaffalione has been named to ride.

Also entered in the Pink Ribbon is Vahva, winner of the Grade 2 Chicago Handicap at Churchill Downs in her last race for trainer Cherie DeVaux.

Regardless of her next race, Mystic Lake will be trying to build on her two race win streak and win for the fourth time in six starts this year. In her last two races, the 4-year-old daughter of Mo Town won the $100,000 Memorial Day Sprint over a sloppy six furlongs at Lone Star Park on May 26 then last out won the $113,000 Dashing Beauty going six furlongs at Delaware Park on July 17.

 

In her first start of the year, Mystic Lake won the Grade 2 Inside Information going seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25.

 

Owned by C2 Racing Stable LLC, Stefania Farms LLC and BAG Racing Stables, Mystic Lake has a career record of nine wins in 18 starts with three seconds and a third and has earned $1,197,542. She was a $130,000 purchase by Turf Express Racing Partners at the 2023 Ocala Breeders’ Sales March Sale of 2-year-olds in training where she was consigned by Tom McCrocklin. McCrocklin selected her as an agent out of the Summerfield consignment at the 2022 OBS October Yearling Sale where she sold for $3,500.

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

Also entered for the Ballerina is Florida-bred Halina’s Forte, winner of the Grade 2 Honorable Miss at Saratoga on July 20. In one other start this year, the 4-year-old daughter of Mitole was second, beaten a half-length by Faith Alone in the $50,000 Prairie Rose going six furlongs at Prairie Meadows on June 6.

 

Trained by Philip Bauer for Rigney Racing LLC, Halina’s Forte has won six of 14 career starts with three seconds and two thirds with earnings of $526,450. She is out of Lunarlady, by Yes It’s True and was bred in Florida by Bill and Corinne Heilegbrodt and Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck.

She has post four with jockey Joel Rosario and is 10-1 in the program.

Return to the August 19 issue of Wire to Wire