Awesome Strong, Lynx capture stakes

Awesome Strong paid immediate dividends for CSLR Ranch Partners Saturday at Gulfstream Park, capturing the $100,000 Dr. Fager in his first start since being privately purchased for $500,000.

The six-furlong Dr. Fager co-headlined Saturday’s program with the $100,000 Desert Vixen, a six-furlong stakes for fillies, while kicking off the 2022 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series for 2-year-olds sired by accredited stallions standing in Florida. In the co-featured $100,000 Desert Vixen for 2-year-old fillies, Lynx drove to the lead down the stretch for the victory.

Awesome Strong, who was sold after capturing his May 9 debut by six lengths while running 4 1⁄2 furlongs in 51 3⁄5 seconds, was in complete control from the very start of the Dr. Fager, setting an uncontested pace and drawing away to a commanding 4 ¾-length victory.

“I’m pleased he fulfilled my expectations,” trainer Jorge Delgado said. “When you have a long layoff, you have a lot of doubts in your mind, but thank God he brought his ‘A’ Game. I’m happy with the outcome.”

Delgado, who saddled the son of Awesome Slew for his debut score, was retained by the new owners following the sale and prepared Awesome Strong for the Dr. Fager while trying not to focus on the high price tag.

“I try to put that away from my mind and not have that pressure,” Delgado said. “I know it was big money. I’m trying to build my stable, and $500,000 is good money for any horse. I’m happy for them.”

In the Desert Vixen, Lynx lagged behind a contested pace during the early going of Saturday’s $100,000 Desert Vixen before pouncing on her tiring rivals in the stretch to prevail by 1 1⁄4 lengths in the first leg of the FTBOA Florida Sire

Stakes series at Gulfstream Park.

Lynx, an Arindel homebred daughter of Brethren, returned $8.40 and covered the six furlongs in 1:12.53.