Weekend Recap: Buena Vista, Hal's Hope and Mine That Bird

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2019
 
by: Valerie Mellema
 

From Santa Anita, to Sunland to Gulfstream, here's your weekend stakes wrap-up.

$200,000 Buena Vista Stakes (G2T)

FAHAN MURA took the lead at the front, as is customary for the filly. She held a two-length lead through the first quarter at :22.53 and extended to five lengths through the first half at :45.48. VASILIKA sat in seventh. MS BAD BEHAVIOR wasn't far behind FAHAN MURA and as she tired in the lead, MS BAD BEHAVIOR was able to take over in the stretch. With 1 ½ lengths to make up in the stretch, she surged, finishing first at 1:33.35.

The win was an emotional one, as VASILIKA has worked her way up from $40,000 claimer to a G1 winner. It was also an emotional day, as her trainer, Jerry Hollendorfer, had just lost BATTLE OF MIDWAY in a training accident resulting in the stallion being euthanized due to extensive and irreparable damage.

STREAK OF LUCK, the longshot at 53-1, finished second and MS BAD BEHAVIOR finished third.

$100,000 Hal's Hope Stakes (G3)

The homebred PRINCE LUCKY broke well in the one mile Hal's Hope Stakes at Gulfstream Park. He briefly challenged for the lead, but set back in third stalking the place. COPPER TOWN and QUIP battled each other for the lead as PRINCE LUCKY worked on gaining ground. At the six-furlong mark, he was only a head behind COPPER TOWN and they ran together coming into the turn. LUCKY PRINCE pressed with energy, but COPPER TOWN had nothing left in the tank. LUCKY PRINCE cruised home in 1:34/84 to win by six lengths. COPPER TON finished second and QUIP took third 1 1/4 lengths behind.

$100,000 Mine That Bird Derby

HUSTLE UP was all hustle in the Mine That Bird Derby at Sunland Park. Determined to keep his winning streak alive, the colt went straight to the lead and established a two-length lead over WICKED INDEED. In the upper stretch, he widened his lead by three lengths to take the win.