BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Facing only two other fillies after the field in the $125,000 Dashing Beauty at Delaware Park was reduced by three late scratches, Mystic Lake, the 2024 Florida-bred Horse of the Year, galloped to a five-and-three-quarters-length victory as the heavy favorite.

Ridden by Jorge Ruiz, Mystic Lake bounced out on top from post three and put a safe length-and-a-half on Safe Trust and M J’s Yoshida during the early going. Safe Trust tried to muster a challenge at the half-mile marker, drawing even with Mystic Lake after a quarter mile in :23.19, but could not keep up around the turn. Mystic Lake then hastened away in the stretch to win in 1:10.37 on the fast track. M J’s Yoshida was second with Safe Trust another two-and-three-quarters lengths back in third. Florida-bred Admiral Hopper, Girls Weekend and St. Benedicts Prep were scratched.

“She is a nice filly,” Ruiz said. “As long she broke good, she would have been okay. She galloped today.”

Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Mystic Lake paid $2.10 to win.

It was the second straight black-type win for Mystic Lake, who won the $100,000 Memorial Day Sprint by two lengths in a driving rainstorm at Lone Star Park on May 26. She has now won three stakes this year with a victory in the seven-furlong Inside Information (G2) at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25. In two other starts this year, the 4-year-old daughter of Mo Town was fourth in the Grade 1 Resolute Racing Madison at Keeneland on April 8 and ninth in the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery at Churchill Downs on May 3.

Last year, Mystic Lake won five stakes at four different tracks including the Grade 2 Charles Town Oaks, Grade 3 Miss Preakness at Pimlico and the Listed Sugar Swirl at Gulfstream Park. 

Mystic Lake has now won half of her 18 career starts with three seconds and a third with earnings of $1,197,542 while racing in the colors of C2 Racing Stable LLC, Stefania Farms LLC and BAG Racing Stables LLC.

Bred in Florida by Peggy Costanzo, Mystic Lake is the only foal out of the unraced Itsmyluckyday mare Salty Soul. Mystic Lake’s second dam is the stakes-placed Pyramyst, by Pyramid Peak, a half-sister to stakes-winner Stormtale and stakes-placed Vancy Pants.

A two-time graduate of Ocala Breeders’ Sales, Mystic Lake first sold to Tom McCrocklin as agent for $3,500 out of the Summerfield consignment at the 2022 October Sale of yearlings. McCrocklin then sold her to Turf Express Racing Partners for $130,000 at the 2023 March Sale of 2-year-olds in training.
(Mystic Lake’s Under Tack Video)

Return to the July 17 issue of Wire to Wire