Awesome Banner, one of the most accomplished offspring of Awesome of Course, won his fifth career black-type race on Oct. 1 with a gallant nose victory over Mr. Kisses in the $150,000 Foolish Pleasure S. at Gulfstream Park

The one-mile contest turned into a match race between the top two after the half-way point, with Awesome Banner on the outside of Mr. Kisses, who had the lead by a half-length. The duo were on even terms the entire length of the stretch, with Awesome Banner just getting his nose in front on the wire to claim the win.

Awesome Banner ran the distance on a muddy track in 1:36.84.

“I knew at the top of the stretch I was in for a dogfight,” said winning rider Tyler Gaffalione. 

Awesome Banner ran his career mark to 6-2-0 from 10 starts, and the winner’s share of the purse upped his career earnings to $512,335. Bred and owned by Jacks or Better Farm, Awesome Banner is by Awesome of Course and out of the Zamindar mare Miranda Stands.