Epona’s Hope. (Ryan Thompson)
Gulfstream Today
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Leon Ellman, Glassman Racing and Laurie Plesa’s 4-year-old filly Epona’s Hope, back in stakes company for the first time since her juvenile season, led every step of the way to hold off late-running favorite Just a Care to win Saturday’s $140,000 Ladies’ Turf Sprint by a head at Gulfstream Park.
Epona’s Hope ($11.60), trained by Eddie Plesa Jr. and ridden by Joel Rosario, earned her fifth career win, third in four tries on the grass at Gulfstream and first in a stakes, completing the distance in 55.02 seconds over a firm turf course.
“She ran a big race, didn’t she?” Plesa said. “I think Joel rode an outstanding race on her. She was the controlling speed in the race. I liked the way he got her to relax. He rode her so confidently. Coming into this race she was just doing fantastic. The guys at the barn did a great job. It’s not a big surprise to me the way she ran. I thought she’d be right there.”
Epona’s Hope broke alertly from outside all but one of her eight rivals and immediately settled in on the lead, speeding through an opening quarter mile in 21.10 seconds chased by 45-1 longshot Shoshanah with Just a Care traveling three wide in third and multiple stakes winner Beauty of the Sea between horses in fourth.
The half mile went in 45.50 seconds with Epona’s Hope still confidently in front. She began to edge away from her pursuers once straightened for home but had to withstand a furious late bid from Just a Care, winner of the Dec. 28 Abundantia at Gulfstream. Karaya was a length back in third, with Weekend Rags getting up for fourth.
Epona’s Hope began her career on dirt and ran third in the 2023 Sharp Susan and FSS Desert Vixen, her second and third starts. She has raced on turf and synthetics since last year and exited a front-running 2 ¼-length optional claiming allowance triumph Jan. 12 at the course and distance.
“She just won her two-other-than allowance, and after that there are no other races for her,” Plesa said. “[The Ladies’ Turf Sprint] was on our radar even before she won her last race. Coming into her last race she was training excellent, and we felt confident in her, and she just boosted our confidence in this race.”
