Awesome Strong completes series sweep in the $400,000 In Reality S.
Saturday, October 1, 2022

Awesome Slew wins the $400,000 In Reality S. at Gulfstream Park - Lauren King photo

Awesome Slew’s undefeated Awesome Strong overcame a wide trip to win the $400,000 In Reality S. Saturday at Gulfstream Park to complete a sweep of the three-race FTOBA Florida Sire stakes for 2-year-old males.

Tigre, who finished second to Awesome Strong, is also a son of Awesome Slew and is now twice stakes-placed in his young career.

Awesome Slew leads the Florida First-Crop sire list and is in the top-10 nationally with $749,827 in progeny earnings to date.

Awesome Strong was the star on Saturday after overcoming a rough and wide trip in the 1 1/16-mile trip. After breaking from post 8, he hustled towards the front and was bumped soundly from both sides going into the first turn. He recovered to be fourth after the first quarter-mile, and held his spot through a half in :46.70.

Forced to go wide into the second turn as well, Awesome Strong rallied to take the lead with a quarter-mile to run. He shook off the competition in the lane and was hustled to the wire as Tigre made a good move from seventh to get the place spot.

“I wasn’t happy with the post position, but you can’t change that,” said winning trainer Jorge Delgado. “He overcame that and [Rider] Miguel [Vasquez] did a fantastic job. The horse always shows up and comes through. The horse lost some ground on the first turn and had to race wide. The whole race he had to race wide. He overcame that and still had something left to win the race.”

Awesome Strong previously took both the Affirmed S. and Dr. Fager S. after winning his maiden debut on May 6. His perfect 4-for-4 record has earned him $458,000 for owner CSLR Racing Partners.

Pedigree notes from the TDN

The winner's dam Pleasant Ring is a full to MSW & MGSP Pleasant Chimes and a half to MGSW Freefourinternet. MGSW Chimes Band is a full to Awesome Strong's granddam Dixie Chimes. Awesome Strong is Pleasant Ring's last reported foal and is a half-brother to four time stakes winner Bad Debt.

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