St. Elias Stable's homebred Rated by Merit remained undefeated and completed a sweep of the 2024 Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association Florida Sire series with an impressive six-length victory in the $300,000 FTBOA Florida Sire In Reality Stakes Nov. 30 at Gulfstream Park.
After winning his debut maiden race by 9 3/4 lengths, the Battalion Runner colt trained by Michael Yates won the first two races in the Florida sire series by a combined 10 lengths. Sent off as the 1-5 favorite Saturday, it seemed the only way he could lose was if he didn't handle the increase to 1 1/16 miles and two turns.
Not only did he handle it, he looked strong running through the wire in 1:45.71, almost 4 seconds faster than fillies ran the same distance in their division earlier on the card.
Breaking from the rail under Jesus Rios, Rated by Merit established a one-length lead early and never relinquished top position. Classic of Course finished second, nine lengths ahead of Just Relax in third.
"At the beginning of the race I decided to put the horse in the best position possible," Rios said. "When I took the lead at the beginning, I was expecting some pressure, but I didn't get any. For that reason, I was very relaxed with the horse and in the final stretch he got wide a little bit but the horse was very strong in the last part of the race.
"He is a very special horse. I feel very blessed to win this race and win the Triple Crown of the Florida Sire Stakes."
Rated by Merit became the 11th colt or gelding to sweep the Florida Sire Stakes series since its inception in 1982. He earned a 108 Equibase Speed Figure Saturday and has won all four of his starts, with earnings of $400,000.
"It's been such an amazing trip with this horse," said Monique Delk, executive director of racehorse development for Vinnie and Teresa Viola's St. Elias Stable. "Mr. and Mrs. Viola let him have the time to develop on his own and he dances every dance. I couldn't be more proud."
Video: FTBOA Florida Sire In Reality S. (BT)
My Denysse Breaks Maiden, Run Down Stunner in My Dear Girl Stakes
Earlier on the card, My Denysse posted a 50-1 upset in the $300,000 FTBOA Florida Sire My Dear Girl Stakes when she collared heavily favored Stunner at the shadow of the wire.
Trained by Ruben Sierra, the 2-year-old daughter of Neolithic was bred by and races for Sierra's Just For Fun Stable. Tracking the pace early as 1-5 Stunner rolled through an uncontested lead, My Denysse was angled wide turning for home and wore down the tiring front-runner for a neck victory.
Brad Cox-trained Stunner, a last-out winner of the Tempted Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack, held on for second over Fede in third.
Breaking her maiden in her fifth start, My Denysse ($72.80) ran the 1 1/16-miles in 1:49.30, also under jockey Rios.
