Newstead Stables LLC’s No Show Sammy Jo, second last time out in the Long Island (G3) at Aqueduct, moved three-wide around the final turn and then drew off under jockey Jorge Ruiz to a convincing 5 ¾ length victory in Wednesday’s $125,000 Via Borghese at Gulfstream Park.
Trained by Graham Motion, No Show Sammy Jo covered a firm 1 3/8 miles turf course in 2:11.10. A 5-year-old daughter of Lope de Vega, it was No Show Sammy Jo’s sixth win in 13 trips across the turf.
Motion ended the day the same way he started – standing in the winner’s circle. He saddled the winner of the first race, Brat Pack, a 2-year-old filly by Gun Runner.
This is what I thought she’d be all year. She’s just, for whatever reason, is finally coming into herself,” Motion said. “She was really unlucky in the Long Island. She should have won it the last two years to be honest. She’s a good filly. Jorgie rides her well. He’s almost unbeaten on her.
“We’ll probably keep her here for the long race [Clement] on Pegasus Day. I’m guessing she gets the mile and a half. She gets the mile and three-eighths pretty well.”
It was Louise Procter who set the pace in the Via Borghese. The Chad Brown-trained filly was closed chased by Venencia past fractions of :23.88, :47.46, and 1:11.43. But approaching the final turn Ruiz guided No Show Sammy Jo, who was last early, around the leaders and turned it on down the stretch
Gallant Greta checked in second while favorite La Mehana, winner of the Glens Falls (G2) at Saratoga over the summer, was third.
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