Gulfstream: Full Count Felicia Makes the Grade in G3 Suwannee River

By David Joseph —-

Full Count Felicia Makes the Grade in G3 Suwannee River

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Gold Square LLC’s Full Count Felicia traveled the shortest distance possible around the Gulfstream Park turf course Saturday, never leaving the rail on her way to a popular victory in the $150,000 Suwannee River (G3), a prep for the $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G2) Jan. 27.

The Suwannee River, a mile turf stakes for fillies and mares, was featured on Saturday’s program that was co-headlined by the $150,000 Harlan’s Holiday (G3), a prep for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream, and the $200,000 Fort Lauderdale (G2), a prep for the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1).

“We’re prepping for the Pegasus. We prepped in this race, and we’re looking forward to coming back next month,” said Gold Square LLC’s Al Gold.

Full Count Felicia, the even-money favorite in a field of eight, had finished fourth in her most recent start in the Goldikova (G2) on the Nov. 5 Breeders’ Cup undercard at Santa Anita. The 4-year-old daughter of War Front had won her three previous starts, including an 8 ½-length score in the All Along at Pimlico.

“We thought about just kind of sitting on her and making sure her energy was back from the trip and everything, but after watching that work and watching her train it’s like, this filly was sitting there begging to run,” said trainer Britney Russell. “It was nice to see her back up her training.”

The Russell trainee settled in fifth along the rail as Sister Lou Ann showed the way while setting fractions of 23.83 and 48.25 (seconds) for the first half mile. The pacesetter was challenged on the turn by Fast as Flight as Edgard Zayas swung Accomplished Girl off the rail to make a three-wide stretch bid. Irad Ortiz Jr., meanwhile, cut the corner on Full Count Felicia, who responded with a powerful kick to outrun Accomplished Girl to the wire.

“We thought about just kind of sitting on her and making sure her energy was back from the trip and everything, but after watching that work and watching her train it’s like, this filly was sitting there begging to run. It was nice to see her back up her training.”

“I had a beautiful trip. She put me in a perfect spot and after that I waited until it was time to go,” said Ortiz, the defending Championship Meet titlist. “At the quarter-pole, I couldn’t get outside, then the rail opened up and I went for it.”

Full Count Felicia ran a mile in 1:34.32 over a ‘good’ turf course on her way to her first collecting her graded-stakes victory by three-quarters of a length. Accomplished Girl, who captured the Presque Isle Masters (G2) on Tapeta in her prior start, closed well in the stretch to finish second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Sister Lou Ann, her Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained stablemate.

Cover Photo: Full Count Felcia; Lauren King

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The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group’s 1/ST business (pronounced “First”) is North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course – home of the legendary Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group’s TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company’s live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). For more information, please email david.joseph@gulfstreampark.com, visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.