Recent Claim Sr. Quisqueyano Rules SM Classic

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Recent Claim Sr. Quisqueyano Rules SM Classic
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Fresh off the claim, Sr. Quisqueyano upset the $250,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Classic Jan. 17 at Gulfstream Park, holding off East Hall by a half-length in a shocker .
 
Claimed by trainer Peter Walder for $62,500 on Dec. 21 for owner Ron Paolucci's Loooch Racing Stable after finishing second in an optional claiming race at Gulfstream, Sr. Quisqueyano held off both East Hall and Catholic Cowboy through the stretch to prevail at 20-1.
 
Breaking from the rail, Sr. Quisqueyano stalked in third under jockey Edgard Zayas, behind the speed duel of second-choice Wildcat Red and I'm Steppin' It Up before grabbing the lead after six furlongs was run in 1:10.59.
 
Despite drifting out through the lane, Sr. Quisqueyano was still able to get to the wire first, with East Hall and Catholic Cowboy rounding out the top three spots, running the mile-and-an-eighth in 1:50.09.
 
"He's a 5-year-old who's made a half-a-million," Walder said. "He knows how to win so he got us home."
 
Post-time favorite Transparent never threatened finishing fourth, with Wildcat Red and I'm Steppin' It Up completing the order of finish.
 
"That horse likes to be on the lead, but there was so much speed in the race, I had to stalk," Zayas said. "I wanted to get the lead a little early, so when I saw those horses starting to tire, I went to the lead, because I know he's a really brave horse once he's in front."
 
It was the eighth win from 29 starts for the 5-year-old by Exclusive Quality   and it was his first stakes win since taking the $100,000 Quality Road Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Oct. 5, 2013.
 
Although he won just won start in 2014, Sr. Quisqueyano had a successful campaign in 2013, winning three of 13 starts. Besides taking the Quality Road Stakes, the bay horse also won the Eight Miles East Stakes in 2013 along with the  Calder Derby.
 
Sr. Quisqueyano, who was bred in Florida by Do-Little Farm, returned $43.20 to win, $16.60 to place and $5.20 to show. East Hall paid $4.60 to place and $3.20 to show with Catholic Cowboy returning $3.40 to show.
 
In the Dec. 21 start, Sr. Quisqueyano was trained by Antonio Sano when second beaten 8 1-2 lengths by Race Day.
 
Earlier on the card, Dame Dorothy easily took the $150,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Distaff, holding off the late run from Sheer Drama to prevail by two lengths, covering the seven furlongs in 1:23.26 .
 
Dame Dorothy now has won five of six career starts for owner Bobby Flay, including a victory in last year's Turnback the Alarm Handicap (gr. III) at Belmont Park.
 
Bred in Pennsylvania by Derry Meeting Farm, Dame Dorothy was a $390,000 purchase at the 2012 Keeneland September sale. She is by Bernardini   out of Vole Vole Monamour, by Woodman.
 
Ridden by Edgar Prado and trained by Todd Pletcher, Dame Dorothy returned $6 to win as the 2-1 favorite in the field of 13, $4.20 to place and $3.60 to show. Longshot Sheer Drama paid $28.60 to place and $16.20 to show, while Flutterby returned $9.40 to show.