Mythical setting record. (Coglianese Photo)
Wins 2nd Leg of FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes in Record Time
David Joseph/Gulfstream Park
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Graded-stakes winner Mythical made a triumphant return to Gulfstream Park Saturday with a dominating 12 ¾-length victory in the $200,000 Susan’s Girl in second-leg action of the 2025 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series for juveniles sired by accredited Florida stallions.
The Susan’s Girl, a seven-furlong stakes for fillies, co-headlined Saturday’s 12-race program with the $200,000 Affirmed, the seven-furlong second leg for the FSS open division.
Arindel’s Mythical had scored an 8 ½-length debut victory at Gulfstream Park April 17 before going on to beat the boys in the 5 ½-furlong Tremont by 3 ½ lengths and earning graded-stakes credentials in the 6 ½-furlong Adirondack (G3) by 3 ¼ lengths at Saratoga. Coming off her first career loss in the seven-furlong Spinster (G1), in which she set a fast pressured pace before fading to fifth Aug. 30 at Saratoga, Mythical asserted herself as the 2-5 favorite against 10 other Florida-sired fillies Saturday with a thoroughly professional performance.
“She has run some pretty big races. Last race was a little disappointing, getting hemmed in on the inside. We were pretty confident that she’d get the distance,” Arindel President Brian Cohen said. “The way she broke and settled, I thought she’s either winning by 15 or losing by 15. When she started making her move, I was pretty confident.”
The daughter of St. Patrick’s Day broke alertly from Post 10 to be forwardly placed along the backstretch. Drama grabbed an early lead, chased by Love Like Lucy and Flowko during a 22.29-second first quarter of a mile, before Mythical swept to the lead on the far turn to complete the first half-mile in 45.42 and draw away with complete authority without the need of encouragement from jockey Emisael Jaramillo.
“This was the plan in previous races but, unfortunately, we had the inside post, and we had to go to the lead. Today was different. She was on the outside, and she was able to follow the filly in front. She relaxed very nice,” said Jaramillo, who has been aboard Mythical for all four starts. “The plan was very clear, and I knew when I was sitting third behind the speed, I would win the race.”
Mythical completed the seven furlongs in a stakes-record 1:22.95 to win the 43rd running of the Susan’s Girl, eclipsing Princess Secret’s 2020 clocking of 1:23.02.
“It was kind of our expectations. Last time we were pushing it in the Grade 1, thinking we were going to win. But we had a lot of pressure, and it was a different class,” trainer Jorge Delgado said. “I think it was the right move for her after a strong summer to come here and find herself again.”
The Florida Sire Stakes final for fillies, the $300,000 My Dear Girl, will be contested at 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream Nov. 29.
“I think we’re going to go there,” Delgado said. “Against this competition, we’re going to try [two turns]. The ways she’s training and the way she’s feeling here in Florida, I think it’s a no-brainer for her.”
Second choice Love Like Lucy held second by a neck over third choice Finding Strength.
