1st-Gulfstream, $70,000, Msw, 2-16, 3yo, f, 7 1/2fT, 1:30.12, fm, neck.
LOVE APPEALS (f, 3, Speightstown–Gioia Stella, by Medaglia d'Oro) just got the better of a final-furlong struggle with fellow first-starter and fellow 7-2 chance Delahaye (Medaglia d'Oro) in the Thursday opener from Gulfstream Park. The late money came for the well-tried Penumbras Maker (Empire Maker), who jumped as the 9-5 chalk, and showed the most early interest, while Love Appeals relaxed kindly enough for Joel Rosario on the back of the front-runner. Full of run, but lacking room as the field neared the stretch, Love Appeals looked like she was going to split rivals to deliver her challenge. Instead, Rosario rolled the dice and dove back down to the fence, and Love Appeals–momentarily in tight to the inside of Penumbras Maker–fought on bravely to the wire to win the photo from Delahaye, who rallied hard in the three path and proved an unlucky loser. Moyglare Stud acquired Gioia Stella, a half-sister to GISW Nereid (Rock Hard Ten) and SW & GISP Sea Queen (Lemon Drop Kid), for $1.5 million at the 2014 Keeneland September sale and Love Appeals is her second produce. The mare is also responsible for the 2-year-old filly Gioioso (Curlin), a yearling Speightstown filly and is due to Quality Road for her 2023 foal. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $42,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O/B-Moyglare Stud Farm Ltd (KY); T-Christophe Clement.
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