Florida-bred Earns $25,000 FSRI Bonus as Fifth Winner for Sire Roadster
BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Florida-bred juvenile colt Road to Midnight took control early then increased his lead throughout to dominate a five-furlong maiden special weight on the turf at Gulfstream Park Monday, winning by six-and-a-half lengths. He was the fifth graduate from 16 starters for Ocala Stud’s hot freshman sire Roadster while defeating five other 2-year-olds in the $70,000 test.
Road to Midnight also earned a $25,000 Florida Sire Racing Incentive bonus from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association with $20,000 going to owner Michael Sucher’s Champion Equine and $5,000 to breeders Richard B. Bennett Jr. and Michael Majeski.
Capped at $1 million, the FSRI program pays $25,000 to each eligible Florida-sired, Florida-bred 2-year-old who wins a maiden special weight, allowance, allowance optional claiming or stakes at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs in 2026. The program has already paid out more than $300,000 this year.
Trained by J. David Braddy and ridden by Diego Herrera, Road to Midnight was a length-a-half clear into the turn after a :22.14 quarter mile and two-and-half lengths in front after four furlongs in :44.46. He further increased his lead in the stretch, finishing in :56.67 on the firm turf.
Road to Midnight paid $9.20 to win.
Sixth in his first start going four-and-a-half furlongs in a main track maiden special weight at Gulfstream on June 20, Road to Midnight improved on the turf, jumping 27 Equibase Speed Figure points to achieve an 80 number Monday. In addition to the FSRI bonus, he earned $39,000 for the win, pushing his career revenues to $39,650 in his two starts.
A $100,000 purchase by Champion Equine out of the Ocala Stud consignment at this year’s Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale of 2-year-olds in training, Road to Midnight is out of the Midnight Lute mare Midnight Candy, an earner of $120,915 from five wins during her career on the track. She has now produced three winners from four starters and five foals. She has a yearling colt, Windough, by Ocala Stud stallion Win Win Win, also bred in Florida by Bennett and Majeski. Midnight Candy was bred back to Win Win Win in 2026.
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