BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Scratched out of last Saturday’s Dave’s Friend at Laurel, Sunny Breeze is entered along with fellow Florida-bred Bernie’s Mitts for Wednesday’s $75,000 Let’s Give Thanks Stakes at Parx Racing. The six-and-a-half-furlong test for 3-year-olds and older has Sunny Breeze listed at 9-2 on the morning line and Bernie’s Mitts at 6-1 in the field of 10.
Trained by Edward Allard, Sunny Breeze makes his second start off a three-month layoff after finishing third in an upper level, $55,000 optional claiming going six furlongs at Laurel Park on Oct. 19.
Among his three other starts this year is a third in an upper level, $40,000 optional claiming going six furlongs at Penn National on July 11 after finishing a solid fourth, less than three lengths behind winner Full Moon Madness in the $100,000 Alapocas Run at Delaware Park in June.
A 4-year-old gelding, Sunny Breeze won his first three career starts last year including the $99,000 Concern racing seven furlongs at Laurel in July. Two starts later, he was second to Florida-bred dynamo Bentornato in the Grade 2 Gallant Bob at Parx in September.
Sunny Breeze is by Stonehedge Farm South stallion Cajun Breeze out of Love My Sunshine, by Khozan and was bred by owner Stonehedge LLC. He has won three with a second and three thirds in 10 lifetime starts while earning $214,890.
Angel Rodriguez has been given the riding assignment on Sunny Breeze, who break from post seven.
Sunny Breeze is also entered at Laurel Park in a $55,000 optional claiming on Friday.
Bernie’s Mitts makes his 14th start this year and first since finishing second in an upper tier, $100,000 optional claiming at six furlongs on Oct. 29 at Parx.
The 4-year-old gelded son of Double Diamond Farm stallion First Dude last won three starts back on Sept. 29, taking a second condition, $50,000 optional claiming going six furlongs at Parx. He has been consistent this year with two wins, three seconds and two thirds, including a length-and-a-half triumph against first condition, $16,000 optional claimers going six furlongs at Parx on Feb. 12.
Overall, Bernie’s Mitts has three wins, four seconds and three thirds in 19 career starts while banking $147,630 for owner Nelson E. Berberena. He was a $13,000 purchase by Julie Jackson as a 2-year-old at the 2023 Ocala Breeders’ Sales June Sale where he was consigned by Little Farm Equine.
Bernie’s Mitts is out of Precious Lady, by Songandaprayer and was bred in Florida by Julie Ann Jackson.
Kendry Rivera has the call on Bernie’s Mitts and they will depart post nine.
Also entered are Howgreatisnate and jockey Julio Herandez, Houghton Shuffle with Frankie Pennington in the irons, Dexter Haddock rides Wax Box, Twisted Ride has Andy Hernandez taking the riding assignment, Bump N Run will be ridden by Eliseo Ruiz, Veeson will have Silvestre Gonzalez up, Mychel Sanchez will guide Maximus Meridius and Paradise Valley has no rider named at press time.
Return to the November 25 issue of Wire to Wire
