Sunday, Aug. 23 — Heavily favored Flutterby coasted home an easy winner in Saturday‘s $75,000 Gold Mover Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
But the speedy chestnut filly couldn’t upstage the race’s real star–her trainer, the ever-vibrant Jerry Bozzo who is 94 years young,
Bozzo bred, owns, and trains the 4-year-old Flutterby. They teamed up for some history on May 30, when Flutterby (photo above) won the 6 ½ furlong Sea Lily at Gulfstream. That made Bozzo the oldest trainer to ever win a Thoroughbred stakes race in the United States.
In her next race, Flutterby finished second in the six furlong Princess Rooney (Grade 2) at Gulfstream on July 5.
In the six-furlong Gold Mover, Flutterby was in command from the bell. Breaking alertly she quickly went to the lead under Luca Panici and, joined on the front end by Ultimate Shopper, set fractions of 22.14 seconds for the first quarter and 44.48 seconds for the half.
With an eighth of a mile to go, Flutterby shook free of Ultimate Shopper and began to draw off as Panici glanced under his elbow. No one was gaining, and no one would. Flutterby kicked clear to a 3 ¼-length victory while being geared down late. She covered the six-furlong distance in 1:10.05.
The win was the fifth in 22 career starts for Flutterby, a daughter of Congrats. Flutterby now has career earnings of $289,908.
“It was a typical run,” Bozzo said. “Very short lead early, and when you get near the money, go. There were a couple of speed horses in there that gave her a run, that challenged her, but she doesn’t care. She’s confident in herself.”
Bozzo said he had received calls from racing secretaries across to country attempting to recruit Flutterby to their respective races, but Bozzo ultimately decided his filly, who can be high-strung, would be best suited to staying home in South Florida.
“She used to be almost unimaginably nervous,” he said. “She’s gaining a little maturity. I wouldn’t say she’s calm, but she’s a lot better than she was.”
Bozzo is unsure of what Flutterby’s immediate future holds, but he may give the filly some well-deserved time off.
“I may give her a little bit of a rest,” he said, “though some of those bigger races here are coming up in September. I’m a little undecided. I’m ambivalent.”
Flutterby returned $3.20 to win. Distinta ($6.40, $3.60) and Quiet Hour ($4.00) made up ground late to secure the place and show, respectively. Ultimate Shopper finished fourth, while Miss Darla, Celebrity Star and Nesso completed the order of finish.
