Rosario rides Final Mesa to Gulfstream win
January 5, 2011HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Final Mesa has won the $100,000 Old Hat Stakes by 13/4 lengths on opening day at Gulfstream Park.
Ridden by Joel Rosario, Final Mesa was the 5-2 third choice Wednesday in a field of six for the Grade 3 stakes for 3-year-old fillies. She stalked a swift early pace set by It's Me Mom before taking the lead midway through the final turn and continuing to her fourth victory in five career starts.
Pomperoy's Pistol, a 34-1 long shot ridden by Paco Lopez, closed well to finish second, 51/4 lengths clear of Roxy Gap, the 3-2 betting choice. Quantum Miss, the 7-5 favorite, finished a distant fifth.
Final Mesa, owned and trained by Wesley Ward, completed six furlongs in 1:09 3/5 and paid $7.80.