Dance d'Oro scored her first stakes victory Saturday at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., in the $100,000 Rampart, leading throughout in a non-threatening victory over Don't Get Khozy.
Winning jockey Emisael Jaramillo rode the 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d'Oro through comfortable early fractions in the one-mile stakes, leaving the filly with plenty of reserve in the stretch to register a two-length victory.
“We were comfortable in the front, good pace,” Jaramillo said. “When I asked her for run, she ran easy, because the first part of the race was easy for her.”
Dance d'Oro, trained by Ralph Nicks for owner Whisper Hill Farm LLC, was making her stakes debut in what was her 11th career race. Following a three-month layoff, the filly romped to a 9 1/4 length victory in a September 24 optional claiming race at Gulfstream, followed by a third-place effort in a handicap on Nov. 21.
“Her first race back was amazing, and maybe she bounced a little bit because she ran so hard,” Nicks said. “Today was another huge effort.”
Dance d'Oro raced to the front up the backstretch, followed by a non-menacing Gran Baby, and opened up on the field when she led the six-horse field into the stretch. Don't Get Khozy made a late run, but was no match for the winner. Allworthy, the 8-5 favorite, ducked in at the start out of the chute and finished third, 2 1/4 lengths behind the runner-up.
“It has to be maturity,” Nicks said of the filly's improvement. “She's always had talent, but it was hit and miss. She's getting a little more consistent.”
Nicks said he would likely keep Dance d'Oro in South Florida throughout Gulfstream's winter Championship Meet before making a decision on upcoming races.
“We'll stay here through the winter and see from there,” Nicks said.
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