BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Set to make her first start since winning the $100,000 Islamorada overnight handicap in November, Great Venezuela will line up against 10 other older fillies and mares, including fellow Florida-bred Karaya, in the $125,000 Captiva Island scheduled for five furlongs on the turf at Gulfstream Park Saturday.
A homebred for Orlando Martinez’s Orylana Farm in Ocala, Florida, Great Venezuela has finished in the top two in 13 of sixteen career starts including winning three of eight last year.
After going undefeated in four races at Gulfstream in 2024, she started last year with a second to Ashima in the $75,000 Sunshine Filly and Mare Turf at Gulfstream. She then traveled to Tampa Bay Downs to win the $125,000 Lightning City on the grass before finishing second to Mrs. Gambolini in the $70,000 Golden Beach overnight handicap in April and third in the $70,000 Lady’s Gold overnight handicap in May, both at five furlongs on the Guflstream turf.
Trainer Victor Barboza then hit the road with the daughter of Pleasant Acres Stallions resident Neolithic, going to Monmouth Park where she finished second to multiple stakes-winner Love Appeals in the $100,000 Incredible Revenge on August 3. For her next race, she flew to Del Mar where she missed the top three for the first and only time in her career. Although just two-and-a-half-lengths off multiple graded stakes-winning Florida-bred Queen Maxima, she was fourth in the $201,000 Senator Ken Maddy (Listed) on the grass.
Out of Pat M’s Image, by Leroidesanimaux (Brz) Great Venezuela’s career ledger reflects nine wins, four seconds and two thirds with earnings of $426,620.
The 5-year-old mare is 8-1 on the morning line and will have Jorge Ruiz aboard for the first time when she breaks from post four.
The lightly raced Karaya makes her second start of the year after returning from a 12-month layoff February 6 on the Gulfstream Park turf when second to Captiva Island-entrant Coco Abarrio in a second level, $62,500 optional claiming going five furlongs.
Trained by Mark Casse for M Racing Goup, the 5-year-old Karaya had just one start in 2025, a third behind winning Florida-bred Epona’s Hope’s in the $135,000 Ladys Turf Sprint at five furlongs at Gulfstream on February 8. Her last win came in the $75,000 Nicole’s Dream overnight handicap going five-and-a-half furlongs on the Gulfstream Park all-weather course in November of 2024.
When she does make it to the track, Karaya is formidable, finishing in the top three in nine of 11 career starts with four wins, three seconds and two thirds, banking $262,371.
A two-time graduate of Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company, M Racing Group bought her for $145,000 out of the Halcyon Hammock Farm consignment at the 2023 June Sale of 2-year-olds and horses of racing age. She also brought $31,000 as a short yearling at the 2022 OBS Winter Mixed Sale where Monarch Farms took her out of the Summerfield consignment.
Karaya will break from post three with Edgard Zayas up and is listed at 12-1 in the program.
Moon Spun, another lightly raced 5-year-old mare, is a winner of her last four going back to an allowance victory at Keeneland in October of 2024. She won two starts in 2025, both at Gulfstream, starting with a three-length tally in an upper level, $62,500 optional claiming on synthetic in November and the $100,000 Abundantia on the grass on December 27.
In one start this year, Moon Spun won the $125,000 Lady’s Turf Sprint on February 7 by three-and-a-quarter lengths.
Moon Spun is trained by Brian Lynch and is the 9-5 morning line favorite. Javier Castellano will ride from post one.
Other fillies and mares ready for the Captivia Island are Sunna and jockey Joel Rosario, Taliesin with Micah Husbands up, Junior Alvarado rides Le Amazonia, Jose Morelos has the call on Flamingo Way, Ms Governor with Mario Gutierrez in the saddle, Luis Saez rides Twirling Queen, Dylan Davis will guide Coco Abarrio and Pandora’s Gift (Ire) will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione.
Return to the March 13 issue of Wire to Wire
