ORCHID S. (gr. III ), Gulfstream Park , March 30, 2013 , $150,000 Guaranteed , value of race $150,000 , 4 yo's & up , 1 1/2 miles , 2:23.48 Turf FM .

Regalo Mia had a severe case of placing-itis last year as a 3-year-old. The Florida-bred filly ran in five added-money events in 2012, finishing second in the Sands Point (gr. IIT) and Herecomesthebride (gr. IIIT) stakes and third in the Appalachian Stakes (gr. IIIT), Florida Oaks, and Banner Gala Stakes. She has turned the corner this season at 4, however, posting consecutive victories in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Stakes and the Orchid Stakes (gr. IIIT), the latter her first graded score. Trained by former Todd Pletcher assistant Michelle Nihei, the filly showed her fondness for distance by taking the 12-furlong Orchid with a convincing late run that carried her two lengths clear at the wire.

Juvenal Diaz, the principal of Omega Farm in Ocala, made a timely purchase when he bought Regalo Mia’s dam, Shake It Up, in foal to Sligo Bay from the Adena Springs, agent, consignment at the 2009 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s January mixed auction for $1,200. One month later Shake It Up, by Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Red Bullet, foaled the Orchid winner, making Diaz her breeder. Regalo Mia is the first and most successful offspring of Shake It Up, who has a 2-year-old Keyed Entry colt named That’s My Cue, who has yet to race. Shake It Up has been bred to Ready’s Image this year.

Regalo Mia’s third dam, Patient One, by Vitriolic, produced Uncle Cam, by Steve’s Friend, who won a division of the 1986 Florida Stallion/In Reality Stakes at Calder as well as that year’s Bonaventure Stakes at the same track. Patient One is also the dam of Mainmanbuddy, an Eternal Prince colt who placed in the 1992 Continental Mile Stakes at Monmouth Park, as well as Talent Lady, a Personal Flag filly who ran second in the 1995 Maid of the Mist Stakes and East View Stakes, both in New York.

Sligo Bay is the sire of Regalo Mia and seven other stakes winners, including distance grass specialist Bourbon Bay. The 15-year-old son of Sadler’s Wells stands at Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs Canada, where his 2013 fee is $6,000 Canadian funds.—L.S.

FLORIDA SUNSHINE MILLIONS FILLY AND MARE TURF S. ( ), Gulfstream Park , January 19, 2013 , $150,000 Guaranteed , value of race $150,000 , 4 yo's & up , 1 1/8 miles , 1:52.39 Turf YL .