Canadian-based Borders Racing Stable Ltd.’s ROARING FORTIES (Stormy Atlantic – Sweet Tart, by Lemon Drop Kid) rolled to a front-running victory in Saturday’s $75,000 Sunshine Turf at Gulfstream Park while making his first start against fellow Florida-breds. Sent off at 7-to-1, the flashy chestnut gelding was perfectly primed for the 1 1/16 mile turf race by Woodbine-based trainer Katerina Vassilieva and well ridden by jockey Shaun Bridgmohan.
With his ears pricked through the stretch the first time, Roaring Forties set fractions of 23.10 and 47.69 seconds for the first half-mile of the 1 1/16-mile turf stakes. Challenged by Max K.O. on the turn into the homestretch, the son of Stormy Atlantic kicked away at the top of the stretch and held off a late-charging Hot Blooded by a half-length. Me and Mr. C closed steadily to finish third, another three-quarters of a length back.
Roaring Forties, in winning his first stakes race in his 24th career start, ran 1 1/16 miles over a firm turf course in 1:40.57 for a 90 Beyer Speed Figure according to Daily Racing Form.
This was the first time Roaring Forties was competing against fellow Florida-breds. The gelding was bred by Stroud Lane Farm and was a $13,000 buy-back from the Ocala April Two-Year-Olds in Training sale in 2018.
Vassilieva became the gelding’s trainer for 2022 when Dan Vella was trimming his stable size. Roaring Forties won two of seven races in 2022 and landed on the edges in a trio of graded stakes races. He has five career wins and earnings of $280,924. He is the second stakes winner for his dam Sweet Tart, who also produced 2012 Plate Trial winner River Rush.
Borders Racing is Hazel Bennett of Alberta and Harry Dobson of Monaco.
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Also at Gulfstream on Saturday, Ontario-bred BROADWAY FORCE won a maiden special weight race for owner/breeder Chiefswood Stable. The Violence – Kincardine, by Fusaichi Pegasus 4-year-old had a perfect stalking trip under jockey Junior Alvarado, who was winning his 2,000th career race.
Notably, Broadway Force was well prepared for the victory by trainer James Jerksens considering it was her first race since her debut in October of 2021. The filly earned a 73 Beyer Figure for seven furlongs in 1:24.80. Chiefswood owner Robert Krembil and racing manager Robert Landry were in the winner’s circle to greet their winning filly.
Broadway Force, an Ontario-bred 4-year-old, provided jockey Junior Alvarado with his 2,000th career win. (Gulfstream Park photo)
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