Letruska Wires Rampart

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – St. George Stable homebred Letruska put herself back into the winner’s circle with a driving gate-to-wire score in Saturday’s $100,000 Rampart Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

Letrska broke quickly from post 5 under Emisael Jaramillo as the 3/2 favorite and safely slid over to the rail, where she set the pace inside of the 9/5 second choice Bajan Girl.

After posting opening fractions of :23.92, :46.31, and 1:10.24, Letruska kicked clear from her rivals at the top of the stretch and was kept to a drive until crossing 6 3/4 lengths much the best.

The Fausto Gutierrez trainee completed the one-turn fast dirt mile event in 1:35.03.

“I had a big question mark about today because after her last race in New York (fourth in the Beldame Stakes [G2]), I decided to remove the blinkers,” Gutierrez said. “I came to the conclusion that all the time she runs, she never saw the other horses. It’s important how she responds when she feels the competition near her. It was a very good performance.”

Dream Marie snuck up for second by 3/4 of a length over Bajan Girl, who failed to switch leads in the stretch.

Good Credence, Sally’s Curlin, and Crumb Bun completed the order of finish.

Letruska’s win, her fourth of the year, was her second at the graded stakes level following August’s Shuvee (G3) at Saratoga and improved her overall record to 15-11-0-1. The 4-year-old Super Saver filly, a 2-time G1 winner in Mexico last year, has now earned $310,919.

“We’ll stay here and we’ll decide what’s possible,” Gutierrez said regarding her next start. “I think we’ll stretch her out next time.”

Letruska returned $5 to win, $3.40 to place, and $2.40 to show. Dream Marie brought back $6.20 to place and $2.80 to show, while Bajan Girl paid $2.40 to show.