Published:
Friday, February 21, 2020
It took Cristian Torres two trips aboard Baby Ice (which produced a second and a third) to get the handle on the 6-year-old First Dude mare, and yesterday at Gulfstream Park the duo put it all together as he guided her to her fourth career victory.
The talented 5-pound apprentice rider from Puerto Rico sent Baby Ice out quickly in the 6 1/2-furlong race, then settled her back into fifth place down the backstretch while Salsa Rita cut out the early fractions. Coming to the turn, Torres sent his 6-1 shot after the pacesetter, and, using a strong, three-wide run Baby Ice moved into second at the top of the stretch. As they passed the sixteenth pole it became strictly no contest as Baby Ice coasted home to win by 2 1/4 lengths, clocked in 1:18.46.
The victory raised the mare's record to 4-4-4 in 25 starts and the $12,200 winner's check lifted her earnings to $91,225. First Dude now has 14 winners since Jan. 1, most for any Florida stallion, and he's made a significant upward move into second place on the sire list with progeny earnings of $376,125, just $9,141 behind the leader.