BY GULFSTREAM PARK PRESS OFFICE (Edited)
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL—Turf or dirt; it hasn’t mattered to Teresa and David Palmer’s homebred Liberty Rings thus far in her career.
The 2-year-old Florida-bred daughter of Ocala Stud’s Awesome Slew has won two stakes from four starts, her first on turf, her second on dirt. Saturday, she is scheduled to return to grass for the $100,000 Hollywood Beach, a five-furlong stakes in which she will take on the boys.
“She’s been training phenomenally. I’m really looking forward to the race,” trainer Nick Palmer, son of Teresa and David, said.
Liberty Rings, who has been installed as Saturday’s 3-1 morning-line favorite, finished a close-up third following a wide trip in her April 16 debut in a four-and-a-half-furlong maiden special weight against the boys on Gulfstream’s main track. She came back to register a length-and-a-quarter, front-running triumph over Gulfstream’s turf course May 9 in the $122,000 Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies at five furlongs on the grass.
Palmer shipped Liberty Rings to Churchill Downs for her next test in the $222,000 Debutante (Listed), a six-furlong stakes on dirt on June 28, but she finished seventh following a bad start and a rough trip. Back home, she rebounded to capture the $100,000 Scandalous Act going six furlongs on August 8, winning by two lengths on dirt after stalking the pace.
“I do see her maturing. Her last breeze was very, very impressive. That’s when I decided to run,” Palmer said.
Liberty Rings has demonstrated rare versatility at such a young age, but does she have a preferred surface?
“That’s a good question,” Palmer said through a grin. “I’m still figuring her out. Deep down in my heart, I think she’s a two-turn turf horse. I hope to get to try that with her one day.”
Out of the Uncaputured mare America First, Liberty Rings has earned $131,350 in her three starts.
Miguel Vasquez, who has been aboard Liberty Rings for all four of her races, has the return call and they will start from post seven.
Unplaced in his two starts on dirt, Road to Midnight graduated in his turf debut by six-and-a-half lengths second time out. The David Braddy-trained son of Ocala Stud’s first crop sire Roadster finished far back in the $100,000 In Summation last time out on dirt but is priced at 7-2 on the morning line for his return to turf.
Road to Midnight is out Midnight Candy, by Midnight Lute and was bred in Florida by Richard B. Bennett Jr. of Lake Worth and Michael Majeski of Loxahatchee. Michael Sucher of Delray Beach purchased Road to Midnight in the name of his Champion Equine out of the Ocala Stud consignment at this year’s Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale, paying $100,000.
Diego Herrera will ride Road to Midnight from post five.
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