Speechify Takes Mr. Prospector at Gulfstream

Team Valor International's Speechify won his second stakes in a row when he rallied from just off the pace to take the $100,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes (gr. III)  for 3-year-olds and up Dec. 27 at Gulfstream Park.

Ridden by Paco Lopez for trainer Ralph Nicks, Speechify in his previous start captured the Kenny Noe Jr. Stakes at Gulfstream Park West, formerly known as Calder Casino & Race Course. Speechify, the 9-5 favorite in the Mr. Prospector, now has five wins and a second in eight starts.

A 4-year-old colt by Harlan's Holiday out of the Saint Ballado mare Preach It, Speechify was bred in Kentucky by Totem Thoroughbreds.

The early pace in the six-furlong Mr. Prospector was set by Mongolian Saturday, who broke sharply from post 4 and found the rail. He set fractions of :22.60 for the opening quarter mile and :45.43 for the half mile, with Risk Factor and Speechify in close pursuit to his outside.

Risk Factor eventually got past Mongolian Saturday in the stretch but couldn't hold back the three-wide Speechify, who took the lead at the furlong mark and pulled away to win by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:09.54 on a fast track. Risk Factor had 1 1/4 lengths on Mongolian Saturday, who held for third.

"He has come a long way," Nicks said. "He's so straightforward. He's a horse that enjoys what he does. He's like a good athlete; he tries to get better."

Nicks said issues related to a restricted esophagus will continue for Speechify, who eats a soup diet. "They'll never be behind him," the trainer said. "That's part of his survival. What he has with his throat has to be dealt with as long as he's alive. It's not easy."

The colt has had three races since late October and will get a short rest. Nicks indicated Speechify could race again in late February.

"The last time he was really slow at the break and they went in 23 (seconds)," Lopez said. "I wanted to find a spot for my horse but (Risk Factor) wouldn't let me go in so I used my horse a little. My horse was running really hard and trying really hard, and when I asked him in the stretch he kept running."

Speechify paid $5.60, $3.20, and $3 across the board. Risk Factor paid $3.60 to place and $3 show, while Mongolian Saturday paid $3. The $1 exacta returned $12.30 and the $1 trifecta $85.30.

Master Blender was fourth, followed by Little Daddy, Calamondin, Simmstown, and Singanothersong.