BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Making her second start off a three-month break, Florida-bred Flowko went head and head early with Florida-bred Chance to Party then had to fight off a stretch-long challenge from Florida-bred Love Like Lucy to narrowly win a first condition, $25,000 optional claiming at Gulfstream Park Saturday. Trained by Rory Miller, the Flying Finish Farm homebred won for the second time in nine starts this year in defeating eight other fillies and mares, 3-year-old and older. Originally scheduled for the turf, the race was conducted at five furlongs on the all-weather course.

Jockey Marcos Meneses had Flowko sharp out of post three and was promptly joined by Chance to Party to their outside. They raced as a team through a quick :21.82 quarter mile before Flowko got clear around the turn. Love Like Lucy came three-wide past the quarter pole to challenge for the lead but Flowko kicked clear again at the top of the stretch. Love Like Lucy tried to wear down Flowko late but came up a nose shy as they finished in :56.41 and three-and-a-half lengths ahead of Tizasweetlady in third. Laila Belle Girl was fourth to complete the Florida-bred superfecta followed by Apenglow, Mywifeknowsitall, Take Charge Boo, Hidden Agenda and Florida-bred Chance to Party.

Flowko paid $13 to win.

 

Second for the third time this year on September 27 under the same conditions sprinting five furlongs on the Gulfstream grass, Flowko last won a first condition allowance race for Florida-bred fillies racing six furlongs at Gulfstream on May 31. She was next fifth in the $88,000 Azalea going seven furlongs on June 20 before getting the three-month freshening.

She is stakes-placed twice this year with thirds in both the $98,000 Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies at Tampa Bay Downs on March 29 and in the $100,000 FHBPA Sophomore Fillies Sprint at Gulfstream on April 25.

Flowko improved her career record to three wins in 15 starts with four seconds and three thirds with earnings of $184,907. She is by Arindel stallion Brethren out of the Florida-bred mare Vino de Pago, by With Distinction.

Return to the October 31 issue of Wire to Wire