| In the span of seven days, a pair of sharp half-sisters earned a total of $37,200 for Circle 8, both racing one mile over the Gulfstream Park West turf course. Last Saturday, 2-year-old Yafa (Handsome Mike-Red Baroness) became the first stakes-placed runner for Circle 8 Ranch, finishing second in the $60,000 Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes, and collecting a check for $11,400. Yesterday, 3-year-old Aizu (Japan-Red Baroness) went wire-to-wire to break her maiden for trainer Michelle Nihei in a $42,000 maiden special, and added another $25,800 to the pot. Talented Luca Panici was aboard Aizu, who was bred by Dr. Jerry Bilinsky and Tropical Racing. The filly had threatened to visit the winner’s circle on five previous occasions this year, settling for three seconds and two thirds, and she was sent off at 6/5 today. Panici sent her right to the lead out of the gate, and she passed the furlong markers in :23.07, :48.01 and 1:12.05, while putting away one 30-1 shot and stringing out the rest of the field so that when she straightened out in the stretch, there was no real threat looming. She coasted to the wire 2 1/2 lengths in front, clocked in a solid 1:36.73. The winner’s check raised her career bank account to $67,521, with $62,650 coming since the end of March. The two half-sisters have earned a combined $115,871. For more information about partnerships and investments available at Tropical Racing and Circle 8 Ranch, visit our websites: www.TropicalRacing.com and www.CircleEightRanch.com or email info@TropicalRacing.com. Contact Troy Levy at 561-513-8767. |
Sisters Aizu and Yafa On a Roll for Circle 8 Ranch!
