Stonetastic Speeds to Inside Information Win
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Stonetastic leads the way to victory in the Inside Information Stakes.
Stoneway Farm's Stonetastic took charge soon after the start and never relinquished her lead en route to a commanding victory in the $200,000 Inside Information Stakes (gr. II) March 19 at Gulfstream Park.
With a three-length advantage into the stretch, the 5-year daughter of Mizzen Mast went on to finish seven furlongs in 1:23.22 on a fast track. With four previous tries at the distance, all without success, she broke through Saturday in a tour de force performance.
Ridden by Paco Lopez for Kelly Breen, Stonetastic paid $4.40, $3.20, and $3. Second-place finisher Tiger Ride returned $9.60 and $6.60, and Engaginglee paid $9.60 to show.
Vying with Flutterby from the gate, Stonestastic soon had control by a half-length down the backstretch.
"I knew (Flutterby) wanted to make the lead, too, so I used her a little bit coming out of the gate to make the lead," Lopez said. "I made the lead and she held it. I know she hadn't won at seven furlongs, but she did it very well. She's a very nice filly. When she makes the lead like that, she's tough to beat. She's a really nice filly."
Stonetastic came in off a five-length triumph in the 6 1/2-furlong Miami Shores Stakes Feb. 14 and had no problem stretching her speed after a quick half in :44 and change.
"Who knows if she goes that fast, if she can go a mile or a one-turn mile, but I think she proved herself (at seven furlongs) against a lot of nice horses today," Breen said. "She rates in the morning. To slow her down, we'll start her behind another horse, so she won't go too fast. We'll see what she's going to do.
"Paco knows her. Paco likes her and he's confident with her. He's confident with her on the front end. You go a half in (:44 1/5) and keep on going, you're a nice horse."
Bred in Kentucky by Machmer Hall, Carrie Brogden, and Craig Brogden, Stonetastic is out of the Unbridled's Song mare Special Me. Her record improved to 6-3-3 from 16 career starts that include a victory in the 2014 Prioress Stakes (gr. II) going six furlongs Saratoga Race Course. Stoneway Farm bought her for $77,000 at the 2012 Keeneland September yearling sale, where her breeders consigned under their Select Sales agency.
You Bought Her finished fourth, followed by Best Behavior, Bar of Gold, Miss Melinda, Kiss to Remember, Dogwood Trail, and Flutterby to complete the order of finish.