Cheermeister All the Way in Herecomesthebride

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Teresa and David Palmer’s Cheermeister continued her torrid South Florida streak on Saturday, taking the field all the way around in the $150,000 Herecomesthebride Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

Breaking from post 5 under Emisael Jaramillo at 9/1 odds, Cheermeister shot to the lead and crossed safely over to the inside heading into the clubhouse turn. While the 5/2 favorite Abscond stalked a length back in second, Cheermeister posted opening fractions of :23.46, :47.27, and 1:11.46.

Still in hand as she approached the top of the stretch, Cheermeister cut the corner and exploded once straight. Abscond fought in vain to make up any semblance of distance on the pacesetter, but she proved unsuccessful.

Trained by Armando De La Cerda, Cheermeister crossed 3/4 of a length in front in a final time of 1:41.32 for the 1 1/16-mile event over the firm turf course.

“It was her first time going a mile and 1/16, and we just felt pretty confident that if (Jaramillo) got her on the lead and she was able to relax, that she would do what she did,” David Palmer said. “There were a lot of nice fillies in there, not to take anything away from them, but she did get her way up front and she’s a nice filly. We raised her at the farm. We bought her and broke her and trained her. It’s a family thing. It’s a lot of fun and we’re blessed to be here. It’s really special.”

Abscond was a length clear of Declarationwarrior, who headed Lucky Polly for third. Witez was fifth, while Sunset Promise a neck over In a Hurry in sixth.

Hey Kitten, Lost Ticket, Ginger Kitty, and Stunning Sky completed the order of finish. Veruca was scratched.

Cheermeister’s win was her fourth in five career starts, a stretch that included the Sweetest Chant Stakes (G3) here on February 1. The 3-year-old daughter of Bodemeister has now earned $216,620 after being purchased as a yearling for $20,000.

“I think she’s a nice, nice filly,” De La Cerda said. “I’m always thinking that she’s going to be better when she’s 4 or 5 because she’s very temperamental and very high-strung. That’s why she broke bad from the gate two races ago (in the Ginger Brew Stakes, her lone defeat). I’ve been working her in the gate to get her better. She’s going to be a nice filly.”

Cheermeister returned $20.60 to win, $9.20 to place, and $6.40 to show. Abscond brought back $4.20 to place and $3.20 to show, while Declarationwarrior paid $6.60 to show.