“I came inside because I saw the two and three horses carried wide,” said reinsman Irwin Rosendo of his mount’s win.  “Last time I went I was outside the whole time; this was a different race.”

Trainer Rafael Ramos said of Awesome Chic’s win, “I was not worried about the distance. I felt comfortable about the race and I’m very happy about it. She ran a soft race (at Suffolk) and then she needed a rest.  This race was very important because now we know that she can probably make it to the next level. I’m very happy with the outcome.”  Ramos said of Awesome Chic’s future plans, “I think I’ll run her in the Florida Oaks. I’m looking forward to the Kentucky Oaks!”

Awesome Chic’s owner Jose Acero reflected, “She’s the same breeding as Ginger Punch. In my opinion, this filly is going all the way.”  Acero said that his filly’s win was not unexpected.  “I was not surprised. That filly, her pedigree is long distance.”

The $75,000 Pasco Stakes was won by Honey Honey Honey under jockey Jose E. Lopez; the three-year-old Florida-bred Awesome of Course colt is trained by Stanley Gold and owned and bred by Jacks or Better Farm. Honey Honey Honey led the field throughout the race and won the Pasco by 5 ½ lengths.  Gentleman James was second and Surrealdeal rounded out the trifecta, which paid $1,552.40 for a $2 wager.

Jockey Jose E. Lopez said of Honey Honey Honey’s win, “This race was a little bit tough because one of the other horses had some speed, and I knew I’d have to move him a little bit.  I didn’t really worry, though, because he ran well in his last race and he improved on that. I just rode him the way I rode him last time.”  Lopez said of the fast opening fractions, “He wasn’t really fighting with anybody and was on the lead all by himself, do I was really confident because nobody bothered us.  I was just waiting for somebody to come up.  He’s improving every time. The last two races he ran, he’s been improving.” 

Owner Fred Brei of Jacks or Better Farm reflected, “Nobody seems to believe in this horse. Do you think they’ll start believing?  Beats me. I don’t care. As long as we keep winning I don’t care if they believe in him or not.” When asked whether his colt will continue on to the Sam F. Davis Stakes, Brei said, “Probably. And I’ll talk to [trainer] Stan [Gold] about what’s next, but we pretty much decided that after the last one, that we’d try to take him through this series.”

Racing resumes tomorrow, January 20 with an eleven race card; the Pick Six carryover is $13,411.  The Silks Poker room is open daily from 12:30 PM through 12:30 AM, and The Downs Golf Practice Facility is open on Mondays from 10:00 AM through and on Tuesdays through Sundays from 8:30 AM through 10:00 PM.