Adios Charlie got his 14th lifetime stakes winner Saturday at Gulfstream Park when Epona’s Hope led all the way in the $140,000 Ladies Turf Sprint S.
Making her first added-money start since late 2023, Epona’s Hope was keen out of the gate and established a 1 ½-length lead in the first furlong. She maintained that advantage through a half-mile of a lightning-quick :43.30, then held off the late charge of Just a Care (IRE) to win by a head in :55.02 for the five furlongs on the firm turf.
“She ran a big race, didn’t she?”, said winning trainer Edward Plesa, Jr. “I think Joel (Rosario) rode an outstanding race on her. She was the controlling speed in the race. I liked the way he got her to relax. He rode her so confidently. Coming into this race she was just doing fantastic. The guys at the barn did a great job. It’s not a big surprise to me the way she ran. I thought she’d be right there.”
The 4-year-old is now 5-1-3 in 11 starts and has earned $294,738 for owners Leon Ellman, Glassman Racing LLC and Laurie Plesa. Epona’s Hope placed in both the Sharp Susan S. and Desert Vixen S. as a 2-year-old.
Epona’s Hope was bred in Florida by Ocala Stud & Edward Wiest & William J. Terrill. The bay filly, who is a half-sister to stakes winners King Cab and B C’s Train , was purchased by her owners for $295,000 at the 2023 OBS March 2-year-old sale.