Be Your Best Displays Versatility in Suwannee River

After leading throughout in the 1 3/8-mile Long Island Stakes (G3T) at Aqueduct Racetrack last month under Frankie Dettori, jockey Edgard Zayas changed tactics Dec. 21 on Be Your Best (IRE) and placed her in a tracking role in the faster-paced one-mile Suwannee River Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park. The outcome, however, was the same—resulting in her fourth victory in 17 starts. After taking the Long Island by a nose, she lasted for a length victory in the $150,000 Suwannee River. Sitting just off longshot leader Swoonatra on firm turf through splits of :23.25, :47.20, and 1:10.38, she took over leaving the second turn, opened up in early stretch, and maintained a clear edge to the finish. The victorious Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee was clocked in 1:33.42 and paid $12 to win. Papilio (IRE) closed to grab second. Ocean Club was third. Saturday's race marked her third start for Joseph, who began training her this fall. Horacio De Paz trained her for her first 14 starts, and she won the 2022 P. G. Johnson Stakes at Saratoga Race Course and picked up four stakes placings, two at the grade 1 level. A 4-year-old Muhaarar (GB) filly owned by Mike Ryan out of the Medaglia d'Oro mare Kamakura, Be Your Best was bred in Ireland by St. Croix Bloodstock. Joseph said he plans to run Be Your Best next in the $515,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational Stakes (G2T) Jan. 25 at Gulfstream.