$1.2 Million Florida Sire Stakes Kicks off Saturday
At 0h03, on September 2, 2025 • By Gulfstream Park
More than 40 years ago, three-time Eclipse Award-winning owner and breeder Dan Lasater had an idea.
Lasater sat down with Kenny Noe Jr., president of Calder Race Course, and suggested Calder play host to a three-pronged stakes series for 2-year-olds to promote the growing Florida breeding industry.
Come Saturday, Lasater’s Florida Sire Stakes Series will celebrate its 44th running when Gulfstream Park plays host to the first leg of what is now the $1.2 million series.
The 2-year-old series begins with the $100,000 Dr. Fager and Desert Vixen at six furlongs, continues with the $200,000 Affirmed and Susan’s Girl Oct. 18 at seven furlongs, and concludes Nov. 29, the opening weekend of the Championship Meet, with the $300,000 In Reality and My Dear Girl at 1 1/16 mile.
The series has produced champions Holy Bull, Smile, Big Drama, Awesome Feather and Brave Raj along with other Grade 1 winners Jackson Bend, Three Ring and Mecke.
Saturday’s $100,000 Dr. Fager drew a field of eight including the likely favorite in Squire, co-owned and trained by Patrick Biancone. The gelded son of Leinster broke his maiden at first asking on the dirt going 4 ½ furlongs April 18 before finishing second on the turf May 10 in the Royal Palm Juvenile Stakes, a ‘Win and In’ for Royal Ascot. The gelding worked a ‘bullet’ three furlongs Aug. 30 in :35 3/5 from the gate. Jonathan Ocasio is named to ride.
Trainer Michael Yates, who swept the Sire Stakes last year with St. Elias Stable’s Rated by Merit, will saddle Fourth and Central. The Shadybrook Farm homebred son of Cajun Breeze won his debut at 4 ½ furlongs May 31 before finishing a troubled fifth in the Proud Man here Aug. 9 over a sloppy six-furlong track. Marcos Meneses will ride. Trainer Jose Pinchin will send out Trelawny, fourth in the Proud Man, while trainer Antonio Sano will saddle Camigol, a winner here at 4 ½ furlongs June 25 in his second start before finishing third in the Saratoga Special (G2) Aug. 2. Edwin Gonzalez will ride.
Emisael Jaramillo will ride All to Win, who won his only race at six furlongs here Aug. 2, while Edgard Zayas has been named on first-time starter Jamalamadingdong for trainer Jose D’Angelo.
