Rodney Lundock's homebred mare, Mary, quite contrary, is set to defend her title in the $200,000 Inside Information Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. Trainer Eddie Plesa focuses on her current form rather than her past achievements. "I'm dealing with the present," Plesa stated, expressing satisfaction with her training progress.
The Inside Information is a seven-furlong sprint. It's part of the action-packed Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) card on January 27. Maryquitecontrary, the 5-year-old daughter of First Dude, has shown her caliber at Gulfstream. She has won six of her first seven starts. After training with Shug McGaughey and David Fawkes, she returned to South Florida. Recently, she won the Rampart Stakes with jockey Luca Panici.
Panici's strategic riding has been pivotal in using Maryquitecontrary's strengths. He is exceptionally skilled at saving ground during races. In a 10-horse field, the mare will start from post 9.
Team Valor International's Romagna Mia will run in the La Prevoyante Stakes (G3), a one 1/2-mile turf race at the same meet. The 5-year-old Mastercraftsman daughter aims for her third consecutive win. Graham Motion trained her. John Velazquez rides her. Starting from the rail, Romagna Mia's advantage in the longer race is significant.
Romagna Mia's performances in the U.S. are noteworthy. She won in the Dowager Stakes and the Via Borghese Stakes. The motion seeks his fifth La Prevoyante win. He will also field Sister Otoole, a 7-year-old Amira's Prince mare. Oisin Murphy will ride her from post 6.
The La Prevoyante field includes notable competitors like R Calli Kim. She's a 7-year-old Revolutionary mare trained by Brendan Walsh. Jose Ortiz will ride her, starting in post three. She's chasing her fifth straight win.
This weekend's Gulfstream Park races will be a thrilling showcase of top equine talent. Maryquitecontrary and Romagna Mia are among the key contenders to watch.