BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Coming off two gate-to-wire victories including a three-length score in the $91,000 Carry Back Stakes in his last race, Florida-bred Langvad heads to Colonial Downs for Saturday’s $100,000 Petromalo Mile for 3-year-olds.
A victory in the out-of-state stakes would earn John B. Penn of Ocala, breeder of Langvad, a $4,000 Export Incentive paid by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.
Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. for Steven Friedfertig and Shining Stables, Langvad broke his maiden in November versus state-breds at Gulfstream Park then had three unsuccessful bids in stakes company. He was third in $102,000 Inaugural at Tampa Bay Downs in December, sixth in the $150,000 Swale at Gulfstream in January and after a three-month break, was fifth in the $100,000 FHBPA Sprint versus Florida-breds at Gulfstream on April 25.
Joseph next tried him in a first condition allowance against older Florida-breds going six furlongs on May 23 and he responded with a victory, winning by five-and-a-quarter lengths after leading from the start. Last out on June 27 at Gulfstream, he again went wire-to-wire to take the seven-furlong Carry Back by three lengths.
Named for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.’s longtime assistant, Sabine Langvad, Langvad is by Ocala Stud’s Awesome Slew out if Malibu Melody, by Malibu Moon and has earned $149,610 from three wins with a second and a third in seven races lifetime.
“It’s pretty cool. You never know with any horse, but it’s pretty special when you have a namesake that turns out to be good,” Langvad said after the Carry Back. “We’re so, so proud of him.”
Joseph purchased him for $23,000 out of the Sue Vacek consignment at the 2024 Ocala Breeders’ Sales October Yearling Sale.
Micah Husbands, who has ridden Langvad in five previous races including the last three, has the return mount Saturday. They have post two and are listed at 8-1 in the program.
Joseph also trains Bravaro, who is the morning line favorite with 4-5 odds.
Owned by Albert Ciuffetelli, Stephanie Brennan, Shining Stables, BAG Racing Stables and Paul Braverman, Bravaro ships in from Saratoga Race Course where in his most recent race was fourth in the $200,000 Mike Lee Stakes for state-breds at seven furlongs on June 3.
Bravaro is winless in four starts this year with his best race coming when second to Florida-bred Nearly in the Grade 3 Holy Bull going a mile-and-a-sixteenth at Gulfstream on January 31.
He won both starts last year as a 2-year-old including the $200,000 Sleepy Hollow for state-breds racing a mile during the Belmont at Big A meet on October 25.
Bravaro is by Upstart and has won two with a second in six starts and earnings of $284,700.
Paco Lopez takes the call from post three.
Rounding out the field are Very Volatile with Jevian Toledo riding, Mister Monday Nite will have Samuel Marin in the saddle, Tyler Gaffalione guides Exosome, Pont Aven and jockey Mychel Sanchez, Manny Franco has the call on Six Speed and trainer Bob Baffert will give a leg up to John Velazquez on Sabino Canyon.
Return to the July 30 issue of Wire to Wire
