Devil's Cave repelled challengers Sweet N Discreet and 3-5 favorite My Pal Chrisy en route to victory in her stakes debut by two lengths in the $100,000 Ocala Dec. 29 at Gulfstream Park (VIDEO).
Ridden by Joel Rosario for trainer Marty Wolfson and owner Alpha Delta Stables, the 3-year-old daughter of Put It Back produced a mild 9-2 upset while completing the one-turn mile test of fillies and mares in 1:34.74 on a fast main track.
Circle S Ranch bred the winner in Florida out of the Jungle Express mare Wabash Girl.
Devil's Cave set a spirited pace of :22.30 and :45.10 before being headed at the quarter pole by Sweet N Discreet, who was credited for six furlongs in 1:09.68 under Joe Bravo. Stalking My Pal Chrisy angled out for the drive and appeared ready to sweep past both on the outside approaching mid-stretch for Javier Castellano. But Devil's Cave, racing at the rail, kicked into overdrive in the final furlong and edged away from the her challengers while urged to the line by Rosario.
Sweet N Discreet held on for second by a head over My Pal Chrisy, who is also trained by Wolfson. It was more than 15 lengths back to fourth-place finisher Courtney Ryan, who was followed home by Mass Invasion and Princess Malia.
"The mile, I wasn't sure of because of her pedigree, but when she broke like that, I wasn't sure she was going to get caught," said Wolfson. "I thought the only horse that could catch her would be My Pal Chrisy, but she hung a little bit."
Devil's Cave was coming off a runner-up finish in a six-furlong allowance optional climbing test Nov. 17 at Gulfstream.
"It was her first time going long. It looked like she was going easy, but a horse started pushing me at the three-eighths pole so I took a big hold on her. I was hoping she'd have another gear and she did," Rosario said. "I got a little bit nervous at the top of the stretch, but she really was going very easy."
My Pal Chrisy, the 123-pound highweight, flattened out late.
"I think the mile is just a little too far for her, and probably 123, giving that kind of weight away," Wolfson said.
Devil's Cave, who improved to 3-3-0 in eight starts with earnings of $132,647, was making her fourth start since being transferred to Wolfson.
"I've only had this filly about four months and she's improved with every start. She had a bright future when I got her. I think she's just getting better with every start," Wolfson said. "I don't know if she can get two turns, but she sure can go one turn."
Devil's Cave paid $11.40, $5.80, and $2.80 while carrying 117 pounds. Sweet N Discreet returned $4.80 and $2.20, while completing a $54 exacta. My Pal Chrisy was $2.10 to show.
Rock On Baby scratched.
Devil's Cave comes home strong to win the Ocala.
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