Florida Won Takes Rail to Presque Isle Win
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Live Oak Plantation's Florida Won found the path to victory when he rallied up the rail in the $200,000 Presque Isle Mile Stakes Sept. 6 at Presque Isle Downs.
Shipping down from his base at Woodbine, the 4-year-son of Birdstone was all out to hold off Midnight Cello, who came on late to just miss by three-quarters of length. Decisive Moment, last year's race winner, was third, 1 1/2 lengths back.
Florida Won, with Patrick Husbands aboard, finished the distance on the all-weather track in 1:36.64.
Decisive Moment sped out to lead early and vied with Rise Up before settling to stalk that rival from second. Rise Up led through six furlongs 1:12.01 with Florida Won biding his time well off the pace in seventh and Midnight Cello in eighth.
Advancing to striking position before entering the stretch, Florida Won was set down for the drive at the eighth pole and came under strong urging to hold off Midnight Cello.
Trained by Mark Casse, Florida Won came in off a victory over Pender Harbour in the Seagram Cup (Can-III) Aug. 2 after finishing a strong second to Red Rifle in the Dominion Day Stakes (Can-III) July 1, both at Woodbine, where he captured the Ontario Derby (Can-III) last September.
Bred in Kentucky by Gainesway Thoroughbreds, Florida Won is out winning Grand Slam mare Grand Portege, a half sister of Preakness (gr. I) winner and sire Shackleford and a daughter of 2011 Broodmare of the Year Oatsee.
Florida Won improved to a 4-2-2 record from 11 career starts. The colt was a $385,000 purchase from Gainesway's agency at the 2012 Keeneland September yearling sale.