$20,000 FTBOA top 3 bonus paid out as Florida-breds finish 1-2-3
BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Florida-bred Naughty Rascal remained undefeated in two starts and produced the first stakes winner for Rogueish, who stands in Florida at Solera Farm, with a neck victory in the $95,000 Proud Man at Gulfstream Park Saturday. The Proud Man attracted a field of eight 2-year-olds who went six furlongs and the purse included a $20,000 top 3 Florida-bred bonus presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.
Ridden by Edwin Gonzalez for trainer Gerald Bennett, Naughty Rascal was bumped at the start after breaking from post five but recovered well to race just behind the leaders in the initial stages. Florida-bred I’mbiggerthanIlook went to the front from post one with Florida-bred Mila’s Wish second on the far outside with Rafid and Naughty Rascal behind them in the center of the course.
I’mbiggerthanIlook maintained a half-length margin on Mila’s Wish through the first two furlongs in a solid :21.97 as Naughty Rascal raced in fifth from about two lengths back. Mila’s Wish took over midway around the bend as Naughty Rascal and 6-5 favorite Classic of Course circled rivals to challenge on the outside.
Mila’s Wish, Naughty Rascal and Classic of Course hit the top of the stretch on even terms as I’mbiggerthanIlook surrendered on the rail after a half-mile in :45.56.
Naughty Rascal and Classic of Course were heads apart as they separated from Mila’s Wish inside the final furlong and matched strides until the sixteenth pole. Naughty Rascal put a head in front with a hundred yards to the wire and finished in a final time of 1:11.92 on the fast track.
Florida-bred Classic of Course took second and the $6,000 FTBOA top 3 bonus while Florida-bred Joey Muscles was another three-and-a-half lengths back in third for $4,000 in bonus money. They were followed in order by Rafid, I’mbiggerthanIlook, Legal Maneuver, Mila’s Wish and Rocka Storm.
Naughty Rascal paid $18 to win.
Naughty Rascal earned $53,650 including the $10,000 top 3 bonus and has now earned $77,650 in his two starts. He broke his maiden by three quarters of a length against state-bred special weight maidens going five furlongs on a sloppy and sealed track at Gulfstream on July 21.
Owned by Mr Pug LLC and J.P.G. 2 LLC, Naughty Rascal is a two-time graduate of Ocala Breeders’ Sales. He sold for $22,000 as a yearling at the 2023 Winter Mixed Sale where Silvestre Avila selected him out of the Boutte Sales consignment. J.P.G. 2 then bought him for $39,000 at the 2024 OBS March Sale where he was consigned by de Meric Sales.
Naughty Rascal is out of Baby Doll, by Smarty Jones and was bred in Florida by Edward Seltzer, Beverly Anderson, Helen Barbarzon and Joseph Barbazon. Baby Doll has produced six starters, all winners, including stakes-placed Awesome Anywhere, by Awesome of Course. She was bred to Sir Winston in 2024.
