BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Longshot Lightning Tones came flying late to nip fellow Florida-bred Khozeiress at the finish to upset the $75,000 Carry Back at Gulfstream Park Saturday at odds of 28-1. The seven-furlong Carry Back featured a field of seven 3-year-olds and in addition to the winner’s share of the purse, Lightning Tones earned a $25,000 Florida-bred win bonus presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.

Marcos Meneses – Lauren King Photo

Lightning Tones and jockey Marcos Meneses were last early, more than 17 lengths behind front-running Swirvin and Sound Doctrine after two furlongs in :21.81 as even-money favorite Super Chow tracked those two in third while three wide.

As they raced past the half-mile pole, Super Chow shot to the front as Swirvin and Sound Doctrine retreated with Lightning Tones still far back. Super Chow was two lengths in front of Florida-bred Zydeceaux after a half-mile in :44.27 as Lightning Tones began to pass tired horses coming out of the turn with ten lengths still to make up.

Florida-bred Khozeiress began to wear down Super Chow inside the final sixteenth when Lightning Tones appeared in a flash on the far outside. Khozeiress hit the front just yards from the finish but could not hold off the high-powered Lightning Tones, who won in a final time of 1:23.18 on the fast track.

Khozeiress finished three-quarters of a length in front of Super Chow in third followed by Swirvin, Mr. Peeks, Florida-bred Zydeceaux and Sound Doctrine.

“I had no expectations, but I never gave up,” jockey Marco Meneses said. “There was so much speed, I just relaxed my horse and at the three-eighths [pole] he just flew.”

Lightning Tones paid $58.40 to win and the $1 Florida-bred exacta returned $110.20.

Lightning Tones was making his second start for owner and trainer Daniel Hurtak, who had claimed the dark bay or brown gelding for $12,500 out of a five-length victory over seven furlongs at Gulfstream on May 5. In his first start for Hurtak, Lightning Tone finished second to Coppermaster in a $25,000 optional claiming starter allowance going seven furlongs on June 11 before making his stakes debut in the Carry Back.

Lightning Tones has now won three of 10 starts with two seconds and a third and the $70,570 Carry Back payday pushed his career earnings to $120,490.

Lightning Tones is by Tonalist out of the Florida-bred mare Rosesandlightning, by Lightning and Thunder and was bred in the Sunshine State by H & A Stables LLC. He is a graduate of the early training program at Eddie Woods Stables in Ocala.

Lightning Tones is the second foal out of RosesandLightning and the only winner. She also has an unnamed yearling filly by Maximum Security who was bred by H & A Stables LLC as well.

Lightning Tones is the first Florida-bred winner of the Carry Back since Take Command in 2019 and is the 28^th Florida-bred winner of the race first run in 1976. The Carry Back is named for the Florida-bred millionaire and winner of the 1961 Kentucky Derby and a Preakness.