R ADIOS JERSEY Repeats in FSS City of Ocala

BY BROCK SHERIDAN

OLDSMAR, FL—R Adios Jersey again proved her fondness for Tampa Bay Downs in front of a large crowd of supporters as she defended her title in the $100,000 Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Florida Sire Stakes City of Ocala at the Oldsmar oval on Dec 10. Now three-for-three at Tampa Bay Downs including her victory in the 2021 Florida Sire Stakes City of Ocala, R Adios Jersey defeated five rivals in the seven-furlong test for fillies and mares, 3-years-old and older, who are eligible for the Florida Sire Stakes program. Owned by Rick Averill’s Averill Racing LLC and Jayson R. Werth, R Adios Jersey was joined in the winner’s circle by some 50 supporters invited to the track by the two owners.

Recent $32,000 optional claiming-winner Sassy Beast broke fastest of all from the outside post six before R Adios Jersey and jockey Antonio Gallardo shot to the front a few yards into the City of Ocala. The daughter of Ocala Stud stallion Adios Charlie took a length advantage down the backstretch with longshots American of Course and Ideal Breeze in pursuit in a joint second with 7-2 second choice Restofthestory two lengths farther back in fourth.

After finishing the first two furlongs in :22.42 with little urging from Gallardo, R Adios Jersey galloped around the turn before being momentarily joined to her outside by American of Course and Ideal Breeze while completing the half-mile in :44.99.

R Adios Jersey drew away from her two challengers turning for home as Restofthestory used a ground-saving trip on the rail to get within a length at the top of the stretch as Sassy Beast moved into third on the outside. However, R Adios Jersey pulled away from her rivals in the run for home to win by a length-and-threequarters in 1:23.59 on the fast track. Restofthestory was second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Sassy Beast in third. Don’t Get Khozy, American of Course and Ideal Breeze completed the order of finish.

“I could see from working her that she is a free-going filly who knows what she is doing, and you don’t have to tell her much,” Gallardo said. “She has speed and she has a long stride, so you don’t want to get too smart and take her back or lay second because she wants to be free.

“I could hear somebody [Restofthestory] coming late, but I could feel my filly was not done. She’s not going to give up, and that gives you a good feeling when your horse tells you ‘Don’t

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