Beach Lady rewards Barbara Brown’s patience

The 4-year-old Treasure Beach filly Beach Lady may hold a dubious record that began after she was ridden by Gary Bain in her first two career starts 1 1/2 years ago at Gulfstream Park. After that, she had a succession of different riders at both Gulfstream and Tampa Bay Downs – 11 in all – without success.

Owner Barbara Brown no doubt believes in the old adage, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again,” because she tried again at Tampa yesterday with her 12th rider since Bain, and veteran Jose Ferrer proved to be the right selection. He took Beach Lady away in fifth place on the rail in the one-mile test, and was content to remain there down the backstretch. Coming to the turn, he cranked the filly up and she blew by the four in front of her, opening a 3-length lead in the stretch and going on to score by 2 3/4.

Beach Lady collected $5,800 for her owner and became Treasure Beach’s 16th winner of 2020. She also earned Joe and Helen Barbazon their third breeders’ award in the span of four days.