BY GULFSTREAM PARK PRESS OFFICE (Edited)

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL—C2 Racing Stables, Paul Braverman and Timothy Pinch’s Florida-bred Practically Dark came with a steady run down the center of the track to edge past favored Latch the Hatch, also a Florida-bred, in mid-stretch and draw clear to a length-and-a-half victory in a first tier, $25,000 optional claiming in Sunday’s Father’s Day feature at Gulfstream Park.

Ridden by Samy Camacho for Royal Palm Meet leading trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., 5-year-old gelding Practically Dark covered six furlongs over fast main track in 1:09.92 for his third career win and first since back-to-back scores at the course and distance nearly two years ago.

Breaking from outermost post seven, Camacho settled Practically Dark in fourth as 22-1 longshot Neshume went a quarter-mile in :22.03 with Florida-bred Fourth and Central—making his first start since winning the $100,000 Dr. Fager division of the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes last September—to his inside and 6-5 favorite Latch the Hatch in the clear three wide.

Practically Dark was tipped outside midway around the far turn and began rolling after the half-mile went in a sparkling :44.41, drawing up alongside Latch the Hatch and Florida-bred Neshume at the head of the lane. Racing without blinkers for the first time in six starts, Practically Dark gradually pulled away. Latch the Hatch was second with Florida-bred Adios Now third.

Practically Dark paid $8.60 to win and the Florida-bred exacta returned $11.30 on a $1 ticket.

“I had the best post on the outside because he is a big horse with a long stride,” Camacho said. “When I saw the entries and I have Saffie, I said, ‘I got it.’ This is a great opportunity for me with him to win races and I don’t want to waste it.”

Practically Dark is by Practical Joke out of Midnight Magic, by Midnight Lute and was bred in Florida by Dr. Carolin Von Rosenberg. He has now earned $166,545 from three wins in 12 starts with two seconds and a third.