BY BROCK SHERIDAN
M Racing Group LLC’s Karaya, who just missed getting her first career stakes victory in the Abundanatia last out, returns to the Gulfstream Park turf Saturday for the $140,000 Ladies Turf Sprint for nine fillies and mares going five furlongs. Trained by Mark Casse, Karaya is one of three Florida-breds who will be running for a $15,000 bonus presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.
A length winner of the $75,000 Nicole’s Dream overnight handicap going five-and-a-half furlongs on the Gulfstream Park synthetic course on Nov. 24, Karaya was subsequently second to Ladies Turf Sprint-rival Just a Care going five furlongs on the Gulfstream Park turf in the $105,000 Abundantia. She was also second to Twirling Queen in the $106,000 Melody of Colors going five furlongs on the all-weather course at Gulfstream in March in her stakes debut.
Leading up to the Melody of Colors, Karaya won three straight—first against $50,000 maiden optional claiming fillies in December of 2023. She then won a first level, $50,000 optional claiming against fellow Florida-bred fillies on Jan. 14 of last year before taking a first level, $75,000 optional claiming in her next race on March 7.
The reliable Karaya has won four of nine starts with two second and a third with her only out of the money finishes coming in stakes. The 4-year-old daughter of Bucchero has banked lifetime earnings of $229,261.
Bred in Florida by Shade Tree Thoroughbreds Inc., Karaya is out of Jim’s Lonesa, by Put It Back and will be ridden from post two by John Velazquez.
Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. will saddle Florida-bred Epona’s Hope, who seeks her second straight win in the Ladies Turf Sprint.
The 4-year-old daughter of Ocala Stud stallion Adios Charlie enters off a two-and-quarter-length victory against second level, $62,500 optional claiming fillies sprinting five furlongs on the Gulfstream grass on Jan. 12. Epona’s Hope was making her first start after a 90-day break when third to fellow Florida-bred Great Venezuela in an upper level, $75,000 optional claiming at five furlongs on the turf on Oct. 19.
Owned by Leon Ellman, Glassman Racing LLC and Laurie Plesa, Epona’s Hope has won four with a second and three thirds in 10 lifetime starts with earnings of $212,338.
She is out of Alotofappeal, by Trippi and was bred in Florida by Ocala Stud and Edward Wiest and William J. Terrill.
Joel Rosario will ride from post eight.
The third Florida-bred entered is Beauty of the Sea, a two-time stakes winner sprinting on the turf in 2024.
Trained by Joseph F. Orseno for Ironhorse Racing Stable LLC, Beauty of the Sea won the $106,000 Goldwood at Monmouth Park in June and the $151,000 Andy Guest at Colonial Downs in August, both at five-and-a-half furlongs on grass.
Beauty of the Sea has won six with two seconds and a third while banking $346,311. The 5-year-old daughter of Bucchero out of Belong to Sea, by Poseidon’s Warrior was bred in Florida by Shade Tree Thoroughbreds Inc.
Reylu Gutierrez takes the call from the outside post nine.
Return to the February 6 issue of Wire to Wire
