Gone Astray Off to flying start in new home

The first winner for Gone Astray since the son of Dixie Union arrived at Pleasant Acres is the 2-year-old Chasing Happiness.

The filly owned and bred by Ocalans Bill and Lynn Rainbow scored at Gulfstream Park yesterday in a $55,000 maiden special – her first start after a solid second-place debut. She earned a check for $34,000, which raised her total to $43,900.

Sent off at even money, Chasing Happiness fought off several challenges in the early going, then put it another gear in the stretch with Emisael Jaramillo and drew off to prevail by 6 1/2 lengths. She raced seven furlongs in 1:26.18 and paid $4.20. In her runner-up debut, she finished 16 lengths ahead of the third-place runner.

Gone Astray is currently in sixth place on Florida’s leading sire list with progeny earnings of $1,932,759. He has 50 winners this year who have won 83 races, and Chasing Happiness is his fourth 2-year-old winner. All told, Gone Astray has had 179 winners who have won 509 races and earned $12,856,563, a welcome addition to the Pleasant Acres stallion roster.