Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher notched his first victory of the 2021-2022 Championship Meet at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., Sunday when JSM Equine LLC's Sister Nell captured her career debut under a perfectly executed ride by Junior Alvarado.
The 2-year-old daughter of Kitten's Joy scored a 14-1 upset victory after saving ground while rating off the early pace in the mile maiden special weight race on turf carded as Race 3. After cutting the corner into the stretch and caught behind a wall of horses in mid-stretch, Alvarado took advantage of room that opened up along the rail, and the homebred filly surged through the opening to prevail by a half-length.
Pletcher has won a record 18 Championship Meet training titles.
Sister Nell was also jockey Alvarado's first winner of the Championship Meet.
“He got a great trip, saving ground. When we turned for home, I was just hoping for a little bit of room, and when I found it, she gave me a very nice kick at the end,” Alvarado said.
Alvarado returned to South Florida last season to ride during the Championship Meet after spending several winters in New York, riding 53 winners to rank seventh in both victories and purses-won.
“I love it here. Even before getting here, it was getting into the 20s and 30s. It was already getting a little chilly there,” said Alvarado, who also scored aboard favored Strike Hard in Sunday's Race 9 feature. “Moving here and getting the great sunshine does make you ride better.”
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