The Florida Sire Stakes Series, conceived over 40 years ago by breeder Dan Lasater to promote Florida’s breeding industry, celebrates its 44th running this Saturday at Gulfstream Park. The $1.2 million series for 2-year-olds begins with the $100,000 Dr. Fager and Desert Vixen races at six furlongs, followed by the Affirmed and Susan’s Girl races at seven furlongs in October, and concludes with the In Reality and My Dear Girl races at a mile and a sixteenth in November. The series has produced notable champions such as Unbridled, Holy Bull, and Awesome Feather.
Saturday’s Dr. Fager race features eight contenders, including the favorite Squire, trained by Patrick Biancone, who has shown strong early performances and impressive workouts. Other notable entries include Fourth and Central, trained by Michael Yates, and Trelawny, trained by Jose Pinchin. In the Desert Vixen for fillies, Lennilu, winner of the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies, may run in the Kentucky Downs Untapable Stakes, potentially making Finding Strength the favorite. The day’s 11-race card also includes the $70,000 Mambo Meister turf handicap for older horses, featuring Florida-breds And Uwish and Goes the Clown.
