ORTIZ ‘TUNED’ IN IN THE THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE ALLIANCE OLD NELSON STAKES

Al Shaqab’s Tuned made a ferocious rally from last at the top of the stretch to overtake Market Rumor in the waning strides of the $150,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Old Nelson Stakes and score a neck victory. The mile and a sixteenth race over firm turf was timed in 1:41.

Jose Ortiz, Jr. rode the Graham Motion-trained daughter of Toronado who trailed the field of seven older distaffers for most of the way, tipping out at the top of the lane gobbling up ground with every stride.

“She showed a tremendous turn of foot today,” Ortiz said. “She relaxed well which has been her issue. If she keeps relaxing, she will be a very nice (mare). I was right on the heels of the 7 (Market Rumor) which we felt was the horse to beat. I was very confident at the quarter pole.”

The victory, her first in stakes competition, was her fourth in 13 starts. The $90,000 winner’s share boosted her lifetime earnings to $238,575. Sent off as 8-5 favorite, she paid $5.40, $3 and $2.40. Market Rumor returned $3.40 and $2.40. Our Bay B Ruth finished third and paid $3.60. Bramble Queen, Tightly Twisted, Bellagamba and Drapes completed the order of finish.

EPIC LUCK SHOWS THE WAY IN WOODFORD RESERVE KITTEN’S JOY STAKES

Mark J. Ashby’s and William R. Gotwals homebred let every step of the way en route to a 2¼-length tally over Gold Heritage in the $100,000 Woodford Reserve Kitten’s Joy Stakes. Under jockey Aubrie Green, the 2-year-old Madefromlucky gelding covered the mile and a sixteenth over firm turf in 1:43.74.

“He’s my first homebred to win a stakes so that’s so important to us,” said an emotional Lynn Ashby who trains the winner. “I’m not keen in running 2-year-olds but he’s been very forward and pretty professional. He has his typical ‘2-year-old’ moments but he moves good over dirt and he likes grass.”

He broke his maiden by 10-3/4 lengths at Delaware Park when entered for a $25,000 claiming price last month and earned his first stakes victory at second asking to keep his record intact. He earned $60,000 for the win to push his bankroll to $76,500.

He was the longest price in the five-horse lineup and paid $17.40, $7.20 and $3.40. Gold Heritage returned $4 and $3.60. C My Meister ran third and paid $2.40. Wow Whata Summer and Climb My Mountain completed the order of finish.

TRUST OUR JOURNEY HOLDS ON TO TOP EXACTA SYSTEMS ROSIE’S STAKES

Palm Beach Racing’s Trust Our Journey held off the late rally of Tejano Twist to win the $100,000 Exacta Systems Rosie’s Stakes by a neck. Julian Pimental rode the Carlos David charge who traveled the 5½ furlongs over firm turf in 1:02.80.

“They were coming but he didn’t stop. He was pretty game,” Pimental said. “That was the plan the whole time. He (trainer Carlos David) told me just to go. He’s pretty fast.”

The win was the second in four starts for the 2-year-old son Triple Crown winner American Pharoah who added $60,000 to his career earnings which now stand at $136,750. The 2-1 second choice in the field of six paid $6.60, $3.40 and $2.80. Tejano Twist returned $4 and $2.80. Wish Me Home paid $3.40. He was followed thru the finish by Mr. Mox, Baytown Frosty and Big Boss Ben.