BY BROCK SHERIDAN
The value of adaptability is on full display with Florida-bred Charlie’s Wish as trainer David Fawkes has cross-entered her in both the Grade 3 Suwannee River going a mile on the turf Saturday and the $140,000 Rampart set for a mile on the main track Thursday, both at Gulfstream Park.
A stakes winner on turf, dirt and synthetic, Charlie’s Wish is one of 12 fillies and mares entered for the $165,000 Suwannee River and one of eight fillies and mares in the Rampart. Both purses include a $15,000 Florida-bred bonus presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.
Charlie’s Wish completed the distinction as a black-type winner on all three surfaces in September when she won the $94,000 Ginger Punch at Gulfstream at a mile-and-sixteenth on their all-weather course. Her first career stakes victory came in the $100,000 Azalea going seven furlongs on the main track at Gulfstream in July of last year and she earned her grass credentials with a half-length score in the $110,000 Pleasant Acres Stallions Distaff Turf at Tampa Bay Downs in March.
Fawkes is looking for the 4-year-old filly to improve on her last race when sixth, beaten three-and-a-quarter lengths by dead heat winners No Valla and Florida-bred Maryquitecontrary in the $75,000 Daring Kathy overnight handicap on synthetic at Gulfstream on Nov. 17. That was the first off the board finish for the consistent Charlie’s Wish since December of 2023 when fifth in the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes City of Ocala won by Bluefield at Tampa Bay Downs.
Charlies Wish has won five with six seconds and four thirds in 19 career starts while earning $365,549 for owner Mark Queen of Ocala, Fla., in the name of his Royalight Racing LLC. She is by Double Diamond stallion First Dude out of Superior Sarah, by Werblin and was bred in Florida by Three Gin Guys Stable.
She is 15-1 on the morning line for the Suwannee River and has post six with Miguel Vasquez named to ride in both races. She has post seven in the Rampart and no morning line had been released at press time.
Both races are loaded with accomplished females with Grade 3 Noble Damsel-winner Ocean Club the lukewarm 4-1 morning line favorite for Suwannee River and recent Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1)-winner Soul of An Angel entered in the Rampart.
