BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Pinnacle Racing Stable LLC’s Judge Judith returned to her winning form Sunday at Gulfstream Park with a neck victory in the day’s seventh race. The Florida-bred mare led from start to finish to hold off a late run from Burnaway to take the conditioned $20,000 optional claiming for Florida-bred fillies and mares, 3-years-old and older.
Trained by Kathleen O’Connell and ridden by Luca Panici, Judge Judith broke sharply from post two in the one mile turf contest and led the field of nine into the clubhouse turn. Panici was able to slow the pace with a :24.18 quarter-mile split while leading 8-5 favorite Big Band Luzziann by length with Prettykeen another length back in third.
Prettykeen took second from a tiring Big Band Luzziann in the stretch as Burnaway began to make a late run on the rail but they ran out of ground as Judge Judith held on to win in 1:34.49 on the firm turf. Burnaway was a nose in front of Prettykeen in third with Neom City fourth. Crystal Coast, Lady Dominance, Big Band Luziann, Boston Princess and Victory Badge completed the order of finish.
Judge Judith returned $20.80 to win for her fourth victory in 21 starts with a second and five thirds. The $30,800 winner’s share of the $47,500 purse increased her career earnings to $109,890. It was her first win since capping a three-race win streak with a victory in a $25,000 claiming race sprinting on the turf at Colonial Downs in July of 2022.
Judge Judith is by Florida-bred Uncle Vinny out of the Florida-bred mare Mediating, by Montbrook and she was bred in Florida by Gary L. Lowell of Williston, Fla.
She was a $25,000 purchase by Pinnacle Racing Stable out of the Paul Sharp consignment at the 2021 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training.
Judge Judith was one of five Florida-bred winners on the nine-race card Sunday at Gulfstream.
Final Furlong Farm’s Far From a Star won the first race, a $12,500 maiden claiming going six-and-a-half furlongs, with jockey Edgard Zayas. Far From a Star is by Bridlewood Farm stallion Tunwoo out of Starfromafar, by Safe in the U S A and was bred in Florida by Chessmate Thoroughbreds International LLC and Peter Halsall. Saffie Joseph Jr. trained.
Florida-bred Nana Fanny won the third race for trainer Joe Orseno and owner Brian G. Miller. The 4-year-old mare won a $8,000 claiming over a mile-and-70 yards under Edgard Perez. By Brody’s Cause out of Dancing Rage, by Sligo Bay (Ire), Nana Fanny was bred by Mr. and Mrs. Annuncio Stanchieri and Farmill Enterprises.
Bruno Schickedanz’s Red Hot Spark won the fourth race, giving rider Edgard Zayas his third winner of the day. Red Hot Spark took the $12,500 maiden claiming going five-and-a-half furlongs on the synthetic course for trainer Elizabeth Dobles. She is by Ocala Stud stallion Awesome Slew out of Rosie Red, by Exchange Rate and was bred in the Sunshine State by Amanda Thompson Gonzalez.
The eighth race went to Florida-bred Sin for a Reason, trained by David Fawkes for owner and breeder Larry Fugate. By Anchor Down out of Be Kind, by Overanalyze, Sin for a Season won the $20,000 optional claiming over six furlongs. Miguel Vasquez rode the filly.