BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Second in his introduction against Florida-bred special weight maidens, Mane Affair was an easy winner in his second career start against nine other 2-year-old non-winners going five-and-a-half furlongs Saturday at Gulfstream Park. Under conditions that specify the race as maiden special weight for Florida-breds and maiden $50,000 optional claiming for open company, Mane Affair won by two-and-three-quarters lengths as the even-money favorite. Nine of the ten starters were bred in the Sunshine State with Dharmak running for a tag.

Mane Affair and Classic Roadster jumped for the lead together but Classic Roadster got a half-length advantage from the rail heading into the turn. Mane Affair pounced on Classic Roadster after a :22.66 quarter-mile split and those two went at each other until the final furlong when Mane Affair kicked clear to finish in 1:04.59 on the fast track. Classic Roadster was second, seven-and-three-quarters lengths ahead of Charlotte’s Sun in third. Kusa, Golden Joshua, Unlimited Drip, Dharmak and Mel’s Manner finished in that order.

Trained by Beau Chapman for Peter J. Mirabelli Trust, Mane Affair paid $4.20 to win.

A bay son of Practical Joke out of winner Mane Attraction, by Munnings, Mane Affair earned $28,500 to increase his career bankroll to $42,800 in two starts. Bred in Florida by Peter J. Mirabelli, Mane Affair did not meet his reserve at this year’s Ocala Breeders’ Sales March Sale where he was consigned by Tom McCrocklin.

Return to the September 26 issue of Wire to Wire