Devine Aida Aces Sloppy Herecomesthebride

Stronach Stables' Devine Aida splashed home in an off-the-turf edition of the $150,000 Herecomesthebride Stakes (gr. IIIT) Feb. 28, earning her first graded score at soggy Gulfstream Park by 6 3/4 lengths to build a four-race win streak .

As a furious downpour pelted the South Florida oval, the 3-year-old daughter of Unbridled's Song found her way to the front from post 1 in a group of six sophomore fillies after Arella Princess got the quarter in :24.12.

Devine Aida took over shortly thereafter, skimming the rail under jockey Jesus Rios and galloping home after posting a half in :48.48, three-quarters in 1:14.18 and a mile in 1:41.57. She crossed the wire of the 1 1/16-mile test geared down in 1:49.01 on the sloppy track.

"I was sitting third when the three-horse on the lead drifted out," Rios said. "At the three-quarters pole, I made the move to the lead. She ran a good race."

Sweet Swingin closed four wide to claim second while Temper Mint Patty rounded out the trifecta several lengths back in third.

Gulfstream cancelled the remainder of racing for the day following Devine Aida's victory for trainer Ramon Morales in the Herecomesthebride, fifth on a 12-race card.

NOVAK: Gulfstream Park Cancels Card in Deluge 

"I've trained many winners in Puerto Rico, but to come to American and win a race like this is a great feeling," said Morales, who sent out more than 1,200 winners in his native country before arriving at Gulfstream last year to train about a dozen young horses for Frank Stronach. "I am so grateful to Mr. Stronach for the opportunity."

Off at odds of 9-5, Devine Aida paid $5.80, $3.20, and $2.40 while Sweet Swingin brought $3.40 and $2.80 at 2-1. Temper Mint Patty paid $2.40 as the slight 9-5 favorite. Arella Princess, Maddizaskar, and Tumminia completed the order of finish.

Pine Needles, Quality Rocks, and Consumer Credit scratched.

Bred in Kentucky by Alpha Delta Stables out of the Came Home mare Passion, Devine Aida won the Jan. 3 Ginger Brew Stakes going 7 1/2 furlongs on the Gulfstream lawn by 3 1/2 lengths after taking a Nov. 15 turf allowance over the same distance by a nose at Gufstream Park West. But she broke her maiden by five lengths going seven furlongs on the dirt at Gulfstream Park West, earning that score in her second outing after a runner-up finish first time out sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs on the dirt at Gulfstream.

"We knew she'd be better the farther she went," Morales said. "Once she went to the lead, I knew the race was over."

With those four wins and a second from five starts, Devine Aida improved her earnings to $201,390.

Devine Aida was a $150,000 purchase from the De Meric Sales Consignment at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s 2014 June 2-year-olds in training and horse of all ages sale. She was pinhooked by Venture Six from the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale for $200,000 when consigned by Lane's End, agent.