Sophisticurl gives freshman sire Ride On Curlin his first winner

The race to become the first Florida freshman sire of 2020 to get a winner came down to a battle today between Sophisticurl, by Pleasant Acres stallion Ride On Curlin, and Frankly My Dear, by Ocala Stud’s Jess’s Dream, in the fourth at Gulfstream Park. The two fillies had met previously on June 21, with Frankly My Dear finishing second and Sophisticurl right behind her in third.

Frankly My Dear left from the No. 6 post with Rajiv Maragh in the 5 1/2-furlong maiden special, while Sophisticurl was in the eighth slot with Samy Camacho.

The two broke out of the gate in unison, 7/2 Frankly My Dear on the inside and 15-1 Sophisticurl right on her neck in the two path, and they remained that way through fractions of :22.81, 46.39 and :58.94. Frankly My Dear had her neck in front down the lane, but under a strong ride by Camacho, Sophisticurl edged past her rival nearing the wire and she won by a head in 1:05.65.

The maiden-breaking victory by Sophisticurl was worth $36,000 for owner Rolling Meadows Farm and a breeders’ award for Pleasant Acres owners Joe and Helen Barbazon, who have been on fire in the last month; this is their ninth award in that span. The winner is now 1-0-2 in four starts with earnings of $45,250.