BY GULFSTREAM PARK PRESS OFFICE
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL—Team Valor International LLC’s Romagna Mia (Gb) lived up to her 4-5 favorite’s role Tuesday at Gulfstream Park while scoring an authoritative seven-length romp in the $125,000 Via Borghese.
Making her first start on synthetic in the race for fillies and mares that had been scheduled for a mile-and-three-eighths on turf, the 4-year-old filly relaxed in fourth as Tass showed the way at a solid pace for the adjusted mile-and-a-half distance. Tass set fractions of :25.23, :49.61, 1:15.45 and 1:40.54 for the first half-mile before Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez pushed the ‘Go’ button on Romagna Mia, who responded with a three-wide sweep to the lead and an impressive stretch run while under little pressure.
“I would have been surprised if she hadn’t [handled the synthetic], although the synthetic is a bit of an unknown,” trainer Graham Motion said. “She kind of won for fun.”
Romagna Mia, a winner of the Group 2 Premio Lydia Tesio – Troffeo Ruler of the World in Rome, finished third in her U.S. debut in the Grade 1 Beverly D won by Fev Rover (Ire) on turf at Colonial before capturing the Grade 3 Dowager going a mile-and-a-half over Keeneland’s turf in her most recent start on Oct. 22.
“She’s an absolute pleasure to train. She’s a lovely filly,” Motion said.
The gray daughter of Mastercraftsman (Ire) set a new track record in the Via Borghese, stopping the clock in 2:28.69.
Tass held gamely to finish second, a length-and-a-quarter ahead of Viva La Red. Miss Yearwood, Florida-bred Coco and Maman Joon (Ire) completed the order of finish.
Romagna Mia is likely to return in the Grade 3, $200,000 La Prevoyante, a mile-and-a-half turf stakes for fillies and mares on the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) undercard Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park.
Oisin Murphy Begins Championship Meet Stint Thursday
International star jockey Oisin Murphy will begin riding at Gulfstream Park Thursday in the ninth race, when he is named to ride Christophe Clement-trained Streamsong in a maiden special weight for 2-year-olds on synthetic.
Streamsong, a son of Omaha Beach who is rated fourth at 5-1 on the morning line, is scheduled to make his debut in the mile-and-70-yard race that drew a field of eight.
Murphy is named on two horses for Friday’s card and five horses Saturday, including Marwad in the Grade 2, $200,000 Ft. Lauderdale. The 28-year-old three-time British champion is slated to ride two horses Sunday, including Isabel Alexandra in the $100,000 Abundantia.
Thursday’s Rainbow 6 Gross Jackpot Pool Guaranteed at $100,000
The 20¢ Rainbow 6 gross jackpot pool will be guaranteed at $100,000 Thursday at Gulfstream Park, where the popular multi-race wager has gone unsolved for three days following a jackpot hit for $324,724.16.
Thursday’s Rainbow 6 sequence will span race four through nine, anchored by a maiden special weight race for 2-year-olds.
Who’s Hot: Tyler Gaffalione doubled aboard Iced Coffee ($11.80) in Race 2 and Alexandra’s Song ($8) in Race 4. Edgard Zayas also rode a pair of winners, Light and Path ($9.40) in Race 7 and Just for Luck ($12.80) in Race 10.
