BY BROCK SHERIDAN

D J Stables’ Pros and Cons was second to fellow Florida-bred Liberty Rings in the $122,000 Royal Palm Juvenile on the Gulfstream Park turf in her first start but was much the best on the Saratoga grass Friday, winning a $115,000 maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies going one mile.

In addition to taking the $63,250 first prize, Pros and Cons earned a $3,000 Export Incentive from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association for the out-of-state win to be paid to breeder Peter Vegso’s Vegso Racing Stables.

Pros and Cons and jockey Jose Ortiz raced last of six into the clubhouse turn, allowing Inside Edge and Golden Siren to click off a half mile in :47.70 on the firm turf. Pros and Cons circled the field around the second turn as Golden Siren and Mary’s Gunna Run hooked up on the lead at the top of the stretch. Golden Sire put away Mary’s Gunna Run then Pros and Cons accelerated impressively on the far outside late to win by three lengths. Golden Siren was second, three-and-three-quarters lengths ahead of Mary’s Gunna Run in third. Inside Edge and So Angelina finished fourth and fifth while Fire Angel did not finish. Bittersweet Memory was scratched and the final time was 1:36.90.

Trained by Mark Casse, Pros and Cons paid $6.12 to win.

D J Stable purchased Pros and Cons for $375,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale where she was consigned by Eaton Sales as agent.

Pros and Cons is by Justify and is the second foal and only starter out of Celestial, by Quality Road. Celestial also has an unnamed yearling colt by Arabian Lion and was bred to Practical Joke in 2025. Also bred by Vegso, celestial is a full-sister to Florida-bred Caledonia Road, the 2017 Eclipse Award Champion 2-Year-Old Filly and winner of that year’s 14 Hands Winery Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (Grade 1) at Del Mar.

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