Mean Mary Wires Orchid

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Proving why she was made such a heavy favorite, the Alex G. Campbell, Jr. homebred Mean Mary took the field gate to wire in Saturday’s $100,000 Orchid Stakes Presented by Rood and Riddle (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

Breaking from post 6 under Luis Saez as the even-money top choice on the tote, Mean Mary effortlessly put herself on the lead and held a length advantage heading into the far turn for the first time. While Beau Belle tracked closest of all in the field of 12, Mean Mary posted relatively quick fractions of :24.41, :48.88, 1:13.50, and 1:36.79 through the opening mile.

Rounding the far turn still very much in hand, Mean Mary hit the top of the stretch still a length in front while Saez waited to give her the cue. Gentle Ruler made a bid for the lead but was never able to close ground as Saez and Mean Mary streaked away strongly in the stretch.

The Graham Motion trainee was kept to a drive before crossing a length clear in a final time of 2:11.73 for the 1 3/8-mile event over the firm turf course.

Though unable to gain ground on the winner, Gentle Ruler was 3 3/4 lengths clear of Elizabeth Way in third. Cap de Creus nosed out Beale Street for fourth, while Get Explicit rallied from last to neck out a fading Beau Belle for sixth.

Irisa, Kelsey’s Cross, La Australiana, Over Thinking, and Quick Witted completed the order of finish. 

Mean Mary’s win was her third straight, all at Gulfstream Park, and followed her successful graded stakes debut in the La Prevoyante Stakes (G3) on January 25. The 4-year-old daughter of Scat Daddy improved her overall record to 6-4-1-0 with $258,660 earned.

Mean Mary returned $4 to win, $2.60 to place, and $2.20 to show. Gentle Ruler brought back $5 to place and $3.20 to show, while Elizabeth Way paid $3.20 to show.