$1.4 Million Florida Sire Stakes Series Kicks Off Saturday At Gulfstream

The $1.4 million FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes – a series which has produced some of Florida racing’s biggest stars over the past 37 summers – kicks off Saturday at Gulfstream Park with the $100,000 Dr. Fager for 2-year-old colts and geldings and $100,000 Desert Vixen for 2-year-old fillies.

The six-furlong events, for juveniles sired by nominated Florida stallions, begin the rich, three-race series that culminates with the $400,000 In Reality and $400,000 My Dear Girl Sept. 29.

Saturday’s 13-race Sire Stakes program will have a first-race post time of 12:15 p.m.

The Sire Stakes, formerly the Florida Stallion Stakes, dates back to 1982 and was created by Ocala breeder and owner Dan Lasater. Participants have included Awesome Feather, Jackson Bend, Smile Brave Raj, Mecke, Early Lunch, Three Ring, Blazing Sword, Sugar’s Image, Rexson’s Hope and Three Rules, who last year became the fourth colt to sweep the series.

Jose Pinchin, who trained Three Rules, will likely have the favorite in Saturday’s Dr. Fager in Fully Loaded, a son of Two Step Salsa who is undefeated in his only two starts.

The Sire Stakes continue to grow in popularity. For the 2019 Florida Sire Stakes, 740 foals of 2017 have paid a May yearling Sire Stakes fee, according to the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association. This is up by 13 percent compared to 651 foals of 2016.

Gulfstream will also host the first Taste of the Track Saturday in Ten Palms. The Taste of the Track will feature unlimited cheese and wine tastings for $25 per person online and $30 per person at the door.

For more information go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/taste-of-the-track-tickets-47721423061?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

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