Joseph Eyes ‘Big’ Things in Ocala Stud Juvenile Sprint
At 0h02, on October 29, 2021 • By GULFSTREAM
Red Oak Stable’s Make It Big, who made a big splash in her debut, will try to make it 2-for-2 in Saturday’s $60,000 Ocala Stud Juvenile Sprint at Gulfstream Park while taking on the full brother to multi-millionaire Firenze Fire.
The Ocala Stud Juvenile, a seven-furlong stakes for Florida-bred 2-year-olds, will co-headline Saturday’s program with the $60,000 Brethren Juvenile Fillies, a mile-and-70-yard stakes for Florida-bred freshman fillies on Tapeta.
Make It Big rushed up along the rail to set the pace of his Oct. 9 debut, shook off two challenges on the turn into the stretch and drew off to score by 8 ½ lengths. Although the son of Neolithic was sent to post as the 4-5 favorite, the $120,000 OBS April purchase was still somewhat of a surprise to his trainer in the seven-furlong maiden special weight race.
“The debut was even more than we expected,” Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “I thought he would be behind in his debut but he actually showed a lot of speed, so I was quite happy with that.”
Make It Big breezed a half-mile in 48 seconds, the seventh fastest of 109 workouts at the distance Oct. 24, in preparation for his stakes debut.
“He’s trained good since. He breezed once and it was a good work,” Joseph said. “It’s a tougher class, but I think he goes into the race with a good chance again.”
Make It Big, who will be ridden back by Edgard Zayas, will concede experience to five rivals, including Mr. Amore Stable’s Just Leo, Firenze Fire’s little brother. While Firenze Fire, a Grade 1 stakes-winning earner of $2.7 career will make his final career start Nov. 6 at Del Mar in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) before starting his career at stud in Japan, Just Leo will attempt to win his third straight race in the Ocala Stud Juvenile.
