Entirely Takes $100,000 Sharp Susan

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Augustin Stable’s homebred Entirely made her return to the turf a winning one on Saturday, making a wide move in the far turn to take command before holding off a late bid from A Bit Special to take the $100,000 Sharp Susan Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Breaking from post 6 as the even-money favorite under Emisael Jaramillo, Entirely was rank early but soon settled along the rail in mid-pack while Rosedale set opening splits of :25.14 and :49.27. Heading into the far turn, Jaramillo took Entirely back slightly in order to tip out and begin passing foes along the outside. Running five-wide through the turn, Entirely exited onto the front stretch with a slight lead and began inching away. Though A Bit Special commenced a furious rally from the rear, the Jonathan Thomas trainee was able to hold on for the win, taking it by a neck in a final time of 1:31.39 for the 7 1/2-furlong sprint over the firm turf course.

“It was eventful from start of finish,” Thomas said. “We had like four different trips by the time we got to the 1/2-mile pole. Everybody was ping-ponging off each other. I’m just happy we came out on top. She’s a nice filly. I thought she was traveling well in spots. Whenever she got into a rhythm, she got knocked off rhythm, so it’s a credit to her that she got the job done.”

Dangerous Curves had to dance around at the top of the stretch before finding room to run along the rail and squeezed up for third over Yako, with Rosedale weakening late to finish fifth. Too Much War, Sweet Hitch Hiker, Jeanieonthebeach, and Bimini completed the order of finish.

Entirely’s win was her second in as many attempts over the Gulfstream turf, having broken her maiden here at first asking on June 1, and was a nice rebound after losing last out in the $100,000 My Dear Stakes over the Woodbine synthetic surface. The 2-year-old daughter of Point of Entry increased her career earnings to $87,345.

“It was important to me to get a stakes win for this filly,” Thomas said. “These owners are some of the greatest people the sport has. This is meaningful for me to win a stake for them.”

Entirely returned $4.20 to win, $3 to place, and $2.60 to show. A Bit Special brought back $6 to place and $3.40 to show, while Dangerous Curves paid $2.80 to show.