HALLANDALE BEACH - Pay Any Price continued to defy the aging process today at Gulfstream Park while registering a front-running victory in the $75,000 Crystal River Stakes.

    The 9-year-old gelding scored his 14th victory in 20 starts over the Gulfstream turf course while successfully defending his title in the five-furlong turf dash, a prep for the $75,000 Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint on the June 29 Summit of Speed program.

     Pay Any Price, who achieved the 2018 Crystal River/Umphrey double, is the world record-holder for five-eighths of a mile on the grass, having captured the 2017 Silks Run at Gulfstream in 53.61 seconds.

     Ridden by Emisael Jaramillo, the son of Wildcat Heir broke on top and quickly assumed pacesetting honors, chased by Shoshone Brave and Singandcryindubai along the backstretch and around the far turn. After setting fractions of :22.02 and :44.01 seconds for the half mile, the 3-5 betting choice shook off his early challengers at the top of the stretch and went on to post a half-length victory while withstanding a late stretch bid by Mr. French. Diamond Oops closed to finish third, another three-quarters of a length behind.

     Georgina Baxter-trained Pay Any Price ran five furlongs over a firm course in :55.35 seconds to collect his eighth stakes victory and 17th overall in 28 starts.

      “He’s a one-of-a-kind horse,” co-owner Rich Averill said. “He’s awesome. Words can’t describe how good an animal he’s been to us and our partnership. We’re all friends. We were all friends before we owned the horse. It’s just so special.” comments powered by Disqus