In a heart-stopping finish that came down to a three-way photo, Firenze Flavor, at odds of 7-1, got her nose on the wire first to capture the $100,000 Honeymoon Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park.
The Patrick Gallagher-trained filly, ridden patiently by Drayden Van Dyke, unleashed a determined late rally on the outside to overcome pacesetter Jungle Peace (IRE) and a game Miso Phansy in the 1 1/8-mile turf event for three-year-old fillies.
The race unfolded with 6-5 favorite Jungle Peace (IRE) dictating terms from the outset, setting fractions of 23.84 for the quarter-mile, 48.10 for the half-mile, and 1:11.72 for three-quarters of a mile. As Catch Can stalked the leader from the rail, while Atia pressed from the outside.
Firenze Flavor, meanwhile, was unhurried in the early stages, settling near the back of the six-horse field. Van Dyke, riding Firenze Flavor for the first time, allowed the grey or roan filly to find her stride, traveling two to three wide around the turns.
As the field turned for home, Jungle Peace (IRE) bravely held the lead, trying to fend off challengers after turning away an earlier bid from Atia. Miso Phansy, who had been saving ground, found a seam and surged between horses with a strong rally. But it was Firenze Flavor, widest of all, who produced the decisive late kick.
In a blanket finish that had the crowd on its feet, Firenze Flavor, Miso Phansy, and Jungle Peace (IRE) hit the wire almost simultaneously.
After a tense wait for the photo, Firenze Flavor was declared the winner by a nose over Miso Phansy, with Jungle Peace (IRE) another nose back in third. The final time for the 1 1/8 miles over a firm turf course was 1:49.91.
“I was a little worried,” Van Dyke admitted about the tight finish. “She kicked nice for me and was trying to shy away from the horse to my inside (Miso Phansy). As I got closer to her, she dug in the last little part and it just worked out good for me.”
Trainer Patrick Gallagher expressed his surprise, initially thinking his filly had finished third. “We’ve always liked the filly,” Gallagher said. “Her first race was good, her second race was good, her third was not so good. Then she came back and won last time. I think there’s more to come for her.”
The victory marked the first graded stakes win for Firenze Flavor, a Kentucky homebred for Oda Racing and U.S. Equine. She is a daughter of Liam’s Map out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Summer Escape. This win improved her lifetime record to three wins from five starts.
As Catch Can finished fourth, followed by Schilflied and Atia to complete the order of finish .
Scratched Horse(s): None listed in the provided chart.
Fractional Times: :23.84, :48.10, 1:11.72
Final Time: 1:49.91
Winning Connections
- Winner: Firenze Flavor
- Jockey: Drayden Van Dyke
- Trainer: Patrick Gallagher
- Owner: Oda Racing and U.S. Equine
- Breeder: Nobuo Oda & U.S. Equine
- Bloodline: Gray or Roan Filly, by Liam’s Map out of Summer Escape, by Giant’s Causeway. Foaled Feb 11, 2022 in Kentucky.
Liam’s Map stands at Lane’s End Farm, in Lexington, KY ($40,000 Stands & Nurses).
Payouts
- (4) Firenze Flavor – Win: $17.40, Place: $5.80, Show: $3.60
- (3) Miso Phansy – Place: $4.80, Show: $3.20
- (1) Jungle Peace (IRE) – Show: $2.40
- $1.00 Exacta (4-3) Paid: $34.80
- $1.00 Trifecta (4-3-1) Paid: $83.80
- $1.00 Superfecta (4-3-1-2) Paid: $145.70 (based on $0.10 payout of $14.57)
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