Best Behavior enjoys perfect trip, registers first stakes victory in Sugar Swirl

Miller Racing’s Best Behavior parlayed a favorable trip into her first career stakes victory, posting a two-length score in Saturday’s $100,000 Sugar Swirl (G3) at Gulfstream Park. Ridden by John Velazquez, the Marty Wolfson-trained 5-year-old mare was exiting a runner-up finish in the December 12 Rampart (G3) over the track and completed six furlongs in 1:09.62.

Stonetastic, the 3-10 favorite among seven distaffers, experienced a troubled trip, forced to steady when a rival crossed into the path of the front-runner along the backstretch.

Best Behavior closely tracked Dogwood Trail, who interfered with Stonetastic, through an opening quarter-mile in :22.42. Velazquez gave his mount her cue rounding the far turn and Best Behavior seized command after a half-mile in :45.08.

Stonetastic tried to rally from just off the pace entering the stretch, but Best Behavior was traveling easy on a short lead and had enough left for the finish, edging away late as Stonetastic saved second by a diminishing nose over You Bought Her in third.

Dogwood Trail, Miss Melinda, Sky Gold and Naval Command came next under the wire.

By Into Mischief, Best Behavior is out of the Line in the Sand mare Queenship, a half-sister to stakes winners King Corrie and Kingmaker.

Bred in Ontario by James & Janeane Everatt & J. Arika Everatt-Meeuse, Best Behavior was claimed four times earlier in her career, most recently being haltered for $62,500 at Gulfstream in August 2014. She placed in six stakes before breaking through in the Sugar Swirl and has now earned $$344,018 from a 28-9-9-6 record.

Photo courtesy of Lauren King/Adam Coglianese Photography