Gelfenstein Farm’s Dearest took command at the top of the stretch and drew off for a decisive five-length victory in the Royal Palm Stakes at Gulfstream Park June 4.
Sent off as the heavy favorite, the three-year-old daughter of Midshipman raced in second through the early stages of the race before sweeping by the leader on the far turn and pulling away for the win. Dearest, who entered the Royal Palm Stakes off of a third-place finish to future G1 Kentucky Oaks winner, Cathryn Sophia (by Street Boss), in the G2 Davona Dale Stakes, now has won three of four lifetime starts.
Dearest was bred in Kentucky by Daniel J. Burke and Kathleen Schweizer, and is out of Keowee Clai, a winning daughter of champion Cherokee Run. Dearest hails from the immediate female family of Sand Ridge, winner of the Iowa Sprint Handicap, and Stopshoppingmaria, who won the Ladies Turf Sprint Stakes and was second in the G1 Frizette.
Among Midshipman’s top runners are multiple Stakes winner and G1-placed Lady Shipman, San Pedro Stakes winner Yiannis, Riskaverse Stakes winner Stormy Regatta, and Happy Ticket Stakes winner Naval Command.
Midshipman is standing the 2016 season at Jonabell Farm for a fee of $8,500, stands and nurses.
