Sunday, April 02, 2017

Family Meeting uncorked a big stretch rally to garner a head victory in Sunday’s $100,000 Distaff Turf at Tampa Bay Downs, the third stakes win for the 4-year-old Sky Mesa filly.

The Glen Hill Farm homebred previously captured the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf in January at Gulfstream Park and Del Mar’s Jimmy Durante S. (G3) as a 2-year-old.

Sunday’s outcome wasn’t decided until the final strides. Family Meeting was in sixth for the first six furlongs, came inside in upper stretch and then split horses near the wire to best Somethingelse by a head, with even-money favorite My Girl Corey a half-length back in third.

“My instructions were to just ride my filly, whatever she was comfortable doing,” said winning rider Jose Ortiz. “The No. 1 horse (My Girl Corey) was in the three-path, and I was able to get a better position and save ground on the rail.

“When we hit the quarter-mile pole, I got room to go, and when she saw the clearing, she exploded. She’s got a pretty nice run in the last quarter of a mile and horses that close have a chance to win,” added Ortiz, who was riding Family Meeting for the first time.

Family Meeting’s record now stands at 4-3-1 in 13 starts with earnings of $283,760. She is one of six stakes horses this year by Sky Mesa, who is standing this year at Three Chimneys Farm for $15,000 stands and nurses.