Liberty Rings (f, 2, Awesome Slew–America First, by Uncaptured), a rallying third in her debut going 4 1/2 furlongs at Gulfstream Apr. 19, made her first start on grass a winning one with a 7-1 upset in Saturday's Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies S.
The 7-1 chance was hustled to the front, sped through an opening quarter in :21.78 and kept finding down the lane despite drifting some to punch her ticket to Royal Ascot. It was 1 1/4 lengths back to first-time starter Pros And Cons (Justify) in second.
“She looks like a turf horse, big and scopey and a large foot. We figured it was worth a shot. We really don't get a chance to run in races like this very often,” said winning trainer Nicholas Palmer, the owners' son.
“It's a career defining moment. We've been trying really hard to win a stakes, so this is a big deal for us.”
The winners of both the Royal Palm Juvenile and the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies each earn an automatic entry into one of six juvenile stakes during the Royal Ascot meeting (June 16-20) at Ascot Racecourse and a $25,000 equine travel stipend.
“I want to go. Hopefully, I talk them into going,” said Palmer, who is hopeful his parents will send their filly to Royal Ascot.
Liberty Rings, with Miguel Vásquez, crosses the wire first in the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies for trainer Nicholas Palmer. #GulfstreamPark #RoyalPalmMeet pic.twitter.com/bwCRYu84Mu
— Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) May 9, 2026
ROYAL PALM JUVENILE FILLIES S., $122,750, Gulfstream, 5-9, 2yo, f, 5fT, :56.58, fm.
1–LIBERTY RINGS, 120, f, 2, by Awesome Slew
1st Dam: America First, by Uncaptured
2nd Dam: Parisian Trip, by Coastal Voyage
3rd Dam: Shahvana, by Zafarrancho (Arg)
($27,000 Ylg '25 OBSOCT). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Palmer,
Teresa & Palmer, David J.; B-Janet Erwin (FL); T-Nicholas
Palmer; J-Miguel Angel Vasquez. $62,500. Lifetime Record:
2-1-0-1, $70,200.
2–Pros and Cons, 120, f, 2, Justify–Celestial, by Quality Road.
($375,000 Ylg '25 FTSAUG). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-D. J. Stable,
LLC; B-Vegso Racing Stables, Inc (FL); T-Mark E. Casse. $29,500.
3–Sass Sass, 120, f, 2, War of Will–Twelfth Moon, by Malibu
Moon. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Gary Barber; B-Gary Barber & Tina
Casse (FL); T-Mark E. Casse. $14,750.
Margins: 1 1/4, NK, 1 3/4. Odds: 7.80, 12.20, 26.50.
Also Ran: Pot's Right, Joker's Chic, Mo Town Foxy Brown. Scratched: Boots, Dee Snook (Ire), Easy Life.
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