The second leg of the Florida Sire Stakes series at Gulfstream Park matches many of the top 2-year-olds in the state over two divisions. The $200,000 Affirmed for the colts / geldings and the $200,000 Susan’s Girl for the fillies share the headlines in Races 8 and 11. Both 7-furlong races extend their trip a furlong beyond the September 7 series kickoffs.
Horseplayers at Xpressbet and 1/ST BET can take advantage of a $10 money-back special on both Florida Sire Stakes races at Gulfstream on Saturday. Get up to $10 back in wagering credits if your win bet finishes second or third.
Let’s meet the contenders for the FSS Affirmed (Race 8):
#1-ZIZKA: Outrun seventh by 17 lengths in the Dr. Fager to open the FSS series at 79-1 odds. Owns a state-bred maiden victory Aug. 17 at Gulfstream among 6 career starts. Regular rider Leonel Reyes returns to ride the son of Neolithic for Javier Gonzalez.
#2-RATED BY MERIT: Smashing winner of the Dr. Fager by 6-1/4 lengths as the 2-5 favorite. Served national notice with his July 13 debut win at Gulfstream against open company by 9-3/4 lengths. One of the fastest 2-year-old sprinters in America by most speed figures / metrics. Not bred for ’25 Triple Crown chase, per se, but 7 furlongs should be well within him at this stage if he holds form. Jesus Rios rides the Battalion Runner colt for Michael Yates.
#3-NEOEQUOS: Set the early tempo in the Dr. Fager and wound up second-best to Rated By Merit. Clear open-company maiden winner August 10 for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., wiping away his troubled July debut when losing the jockey at the start. Interestingly, Drayden Van Dyke was said jockey, and returns to ride him for the first time since as Miguel Vasquez moves seats to Big Paradise on Saturday. Like Zizka, this is another colt by Neolithic.
#4-CLASSIC OF COURSE: Busy freshman season has seen the Dr. Fager third-place finisher already return to run fourth in the 1-mile Aventura Stakes in open company on 2 weeks’ rest. Now has 4 weeks recovery for a rematch while making his fifth straight stakes start. Debuted a winner May 3 and hasn’t won this, but top-4 in stakes at Saratoga and Gulfstream from 6 to 8 furlongs. Joe Bravo takes the mount for the first time for Patrick Biancone, switching things up after the Awesome of Course colt made a premature move in the Aventura.
#5-LOU: After five maiden nibbles, this Brethren colt broke through Sept. 14 for a rallying win over 7 furlongs. He owns the only win at the distance in the field. Note a trainer change to Carlos David occurred just prior to his breakthrough victory. Jockey Drayden Van Dyke jumps to ride Neoequos as Paco Lopez takes the reins. Two of his better races have come on wet tracks, which is notable if it rains.
#6-BIG PARADISE: The least experienced member of the cast makes his stakes debut after winning his initial outing Sept. 28 against state-breds. Rallied for the 6-furlong score under Miguel Vasquez, who sticks to ride this son of The Big Beast for trainer David Fawkes. Running style and damsire Blame suggest the additional distance could be to his benefit.
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