Learn gets first U. S. winner at Gulfstream

Like As De Trebol before him, Learn has gained his first U. S. winner, a filly who scored in her second start at Gulfstream Park after beginning her career overseas. Learn Story made two starts in the Dominican Republic last year, winning a maiden race, then finishing third in an allowance test back on July 28.

After a layoff of five months, the 3-year-old filly showed up at Gulfstream on Jan. 1 and finished sixth after an eventful trip in which she was in contention before having to take up sharply through the stretch run. Yesterday, Learn Story had the services of talented Jose Ortiz, and she needed every bit of his expertise to prevail in the six-furlong race.

Despite being bumped at the break, Ortiz broke his filly on the lead and immediately began a battle inside Sky Run which continued all the way into the stretch. Learn Story began to open a little daylight, but Sky Run rallied and the two went nose to nose all the way to the finish, with Learn Story’s nose hitting the wire first, and she rewarded her backers with a payoff of $12.60. The victory was worth $12,600 and Learn Story is now 2-0-1 in four starts.