Cathyrn wins Forward Gal

WHILE Mohaymen jostled Nyquist at the top of the three-year-old male division, Cathyrn Sophia won the Forward Gal at Gulfstream, offering at least a semblance of competition at the top of the three-year-old filly division.

Like Nyquist, Songbird finished her undefeated two-year-old season with a win in the Breeders’ Cup and is aiming at her three-year-old debut. She’s the leader. But, Cathryn Sophia has won three from three, including an effortless romp in the Grade 2 Forward Gal. Owned by Cash is King Stable and trained by John Servis, the daughter of Street Boss broke from the inside and rolled past rivals without a semblance of effort from jockey Joel Rosario.

“After the break I was sick to my stomach with her 1-9 or 1-5, whatever she was, and getting off like that. Obviously it was a completely different running style than we were used to and it wasn’t our choice,” Servis said two days after the race.

Cathryn Sophia showed a dimension in the seven-furlong Forward Gal which should help her as she stretches out to two turns – and perhaps a clash with Songbird somewhere down the road. Kentucky Oaks, anyone?

Jason Servis

WHILE John Servis was scorching Gulfstream Park, his older brother, Jason, was doing the same at Aqueduct. Jason Servis produced Sunny Ridge to win the Grade 3 Withers for owner/breeder Dennis Drazin. Bred in New Jersey, Sunny Ridge won for the third time in his six-race career.

Undefeated records

MOHAYMEN and Cathryn Sophia weren’t the only ones to bolster undefeated records at Gulfstream Park Saturday. Awesome Banner earned his second stakes win and third career victory, sweeping the Grade 2 Swale Stakes for owner/breeders Jacks or Better Farm and trainer Stanley Gold. The Florida-bred son of Awesome Of Course trounced five rivals by five lengths for jockey Jose Caraballo.