Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida –
Race 10: Grade III The Very One Stakes presented by DRF en Espanol
Venue Location: Gulfstream Park, 901 S Federal Hwy, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009 (South Florida’s premier thoroughbred venue, home to the Championship Meet and its world-class turf course).
Scheduled Post Time: 4:04 PM ET (Race 10 on a blockbuster 14-race Fountain of Youth Day card; first post 11:30 AM ET).
Distance/Surface: 1 3/8 miles (11 furlongs) on the turf course (If taken off turf, contested at 1 1/2 miles on the Tapeta synthetic).
Purse: $175,000 (includes $25,000 Florida Bred Incentive Fund). For fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and upward.
Track Conditions: Turf course firm and fast. Recent Gulfstream turf races have been producing quick, fair times with no pronounced bias; expect a true running surface ideal for routers and late closers over the extended trip.
Expected Weather Conditions: Mild and pleasant late-February South Florida classic. High near 79-80°F, low around 69-70°F, partly cloudy to mostly sunny, light to moderate southeast winds (8-12 mph), humidity ~65%, and a 10-20% chance of isolated afternoon showers (very low risk of affecting the turf at post time). Perfect conditions for a strong pace and clean trips on firm ground—no weather bias anticipated.
The 39th running of the Grade III The Very One Stakes (named for the Hall of Fame turf mare) is a key mid-distance turf test for older fillies and mares, often serving as a stepping stone to graded events like the Orchid or Bewitch. The compact field of nine features a mix of proven stakes winners, international imports, and improving types from powerhouse barns (Motion with two, Joseph Jr. with two). Pace projects modest with limited early speed (Venencia the likely lone front-runner), setting up for stalkers and deep closers on firm turf. No Show Sammy Jo heads the morning line off a course-and-distance win, but Candy Quest (with elite jockey/trainer combo and explosive late kick) and several live 6/1-8/1 shots make this a wide-open betting race.
Full Field with Post Positions, Analysis, Jockey/Trainer Notes, and Morning Line Odds
PP 1 – Gallant Greta (NY) (Twirling Candy – Tulipmania by Empire Maker)
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Michael J. Maker (sharp with consistent routers; won this race last year with Beach Bomb)
Morning Line Odds: 12/1
Weight: 120 lbs
Analysis: New York-bred closer with rock-solid consistency. Most recent: game 2nd over this exact course and distance in the Via Borghese S. (listed) on Dec. 24, 2025 (behind No Show Sammy Jo); then ran too far back in the 1 1/2-mile G3 Christophe Clement. Saez (who won last year’s renewal) knows the trip; Maker excels with these patient types. Rail post is ideal for a ground-saving trip—live longshot who could pounce late if the pace is honest.
PP 2 – Just Basking (KY) (Arrogate – Spanish Star by Blame)
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Trainer: Ian R. Wilkes (patient with improving routers; excellent Fair Grounds record)
Morning Line Odds: 20/1
Weight: 120 lbs
Analysis: Lightly raced 5YO with a thin but promising turf profile. Recent: one dull effort at Fair Grounds earlier in 2026, but prior dirt allowance win showed strong late pace figures. Arrogate stamina suits the marathon trip perfectly; multiple BRIS late-pace ratings up to 10f. Castellano upgrade is huge—well-drawn for a 3-turn journey. Big overlay and the best longshot play; could surprise with a ground-saving rally.
PP 3 – Venencia (FR) (Recoletos (FR) – Sign of Life by Lemon Drop Kid)
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione (local turf ace; won this race in 2024)
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. (red-hot barn this meet)
Morning Line Odds: 6/1
Weight: 124 lbs
Analysis: French-bred with a standout G3 Dowager S. win at Keeneland in October 2025, but form has been inconsistent with multiple trainer changes. Hasn’t fired in recent Joseph starts. Tactical speed makes her the likely pacesetter in a field with limited early zip—Gaffalione knows how to ration her. Could wire or sit just off it; dangerous at a square price but looks a bit one-dimensional.
PP 4 – Candy Quest (KY) (Connect – Candy Crush by Candy Ride (ARG))
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr. (3-time winner of this race: 2018, 2019, 2022)
Trainer: Mark E. Casse (national stakes powerhouse; remarkable recent form)
Morning Line Odds: 5/2 (co-second choice)
Weight: 120 lbs
Analysis: 4YO with explosive closing ability. Most recent: excellent 2nd in the G3 Endeavour S. at Tampa Bay Downs (Jan. 2026), posting a 104 BRIS late-pace figure after a slow pace; prior strong 107 figure in the Dueling Grounds Oaks. Course winner with a 7-for-10 exacta rate and 9-for-10 superfecta rate lifetime. Ortiz first-time mount is a massive plus—Casse/Ortiz combo is lethal. The best late move in the field and a must-use; projects to sit mid-pack and explode in the lane.
PP 5 – For Flying (BRZ) (Drosselmeyer – Table Mountain (BRZ) by Elusive Quality)
Jockey: David Egan
Trainer: H. Graham Motion (won last year’s Very One with Beach Bomb; master of turf routers)
Morning Line Odds: 6/1
Weight: 122 lbs
Analysis: 6YO Brazilian import with a solid early career but now on a 0-for-8 winless streak. Recent synthetic efforts uninspiring, though she beat Fantasy Performer on New Year’s Day. Turf return could help; Motion gets them ready off layoffs. Egan will look for a patient trip—respectable underneath play but needs a career peak to win.
PP 6 – Dona Clota (CHI) (Ivan Denisovich (IRE) – Delfa (CHI) by Total Impact (CHI))
Jockey: Flavien Prat (elite closer)
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
Morning Line Odds: 8/1
Weight: 122 lbs
Analysis: Former Chilean Group star who melted down in the 2025 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). Only one U.S. start since (5th in a Saratoga allowance). Third trainer in three domestic tries—Joseph may have found the key. Prat upgrade is significant; could improve sharply with a clean trip. Live at the price for exotics.
PP 7 – Fantasy Performer (KY) (Oscar Performance – Fantasy of Flight by Tiznow)
Jockey: Rajiv Maragh
Trainer: Cam M. Gambolati
Morning Line Odds: 30/1
Weight: 120 lbs
Analysis: Synthetic specialist who bested For Flying on New Year’s Day but faces a significant class jump. Limited turf form and figures don’t stack up here. Best used as a deep superfecta bomb only—longest shot on the board.
PP 8 – Love Song (KY) (Ghostzapper – Music Note by A.P. Indy)
Jockey: John R. Velazquez (seeking 5th Very One win to tie record)
Trainer: Michael Stidham (solid with Godolphin homebreds)
Morning Line Odds: 8/1
Weight: 120 lbs
Analysis: Impeccably bred Godolphin filly who has yet to live up to her pedigree (0-for-11 in stakes tries). Turf record is 0-3-0 in six starts; recent 3rd at Turfway was her best in a while. Longer trips suit, but class and surface questions remain. Velazquez is money in this race—sneaky value underneath if she finally breaks through.
PP 9 – No Show Sammy Jo (GB) (Lope de Vega (IRE) – Shomaria (FR) by Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Jockey: Jorge Ruiz
Trainer: H. Graham Motion (seeking 3rd Very One win, 2nd straight)
Morning Line Odds: 9/5 (heavy favorite)
Weight: 122 lbs
Analysis: 6YO with a stop-start but high-quality career (6 wins from 14 starts). Most recent: dominant listed stakes win over this exact C&D on Dec. 24, 2025 (defeating Gallant Greta); then flopped when stretched to 1 1/2 miles in the G3 Christophe Clement. Strongest recent schedule in the field. Motion has her sharp, but the wide post and modest recent late-pace figures are slight concerns—may need to be used more aggressively early. The one to beat on paper, but vulnerable at short odds.
Summary and Wagering Angles:
This is a classic “pace melts late” turf router with Candy Quest (4) standing out as the top value play—explosive closer, perfect stats, elite connections, and Irad Ortiz. No Show Sammy Jo (9) is the deserving favorite but faces pace and post concerns. Gallant Greta (1), Just Basking (2), and Venencia (3) offer the best exotics value. Motion’s pair (5 & 9) and Joseph’s pair (3 & 6) add depth.
