Mystic Lake, a four-year-old filly trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., has solidified her reputation as a true competitor in the horse racing world with her recent victory in the $150,000 Liberty Bell Stakes at Parx Racing. While Joseph had multiple options for the day, sending Mystic Lake instead of entering her in the Princess Rooney (G3) at Gulfstream Park proved to be a brilliant decision.
Race Overview
Mystic Lake, owned by C2 Racing Stables and Stefania Farms, displayed impressive speed right from the start. Breaking out just behind her competitors Confirmed Star and Carmelina, jockey Tyler Gaffalione expertly guided her to take the lead within the first 100 yards of the race. The filly maintained her lead throughout, clocking a quarter-mile time of 21.88 seconds and a half-mile in 44.08 seconds—figures that reveal her ability to dominate the race.
Despite challenges from other contenders—most notably Carmelina and Volleyballprincess—Mystic Lake proved uncatchable, crossing the finish line in a time of 1:15.87. This victory marks her fifth win of the year and her fourth listed stakes win across four different tracks, demonstrating her versatility and talent.
Trainer and Jockey Insights
Saffie Joseph Jr. expressed pride in Mystic Lake’s performance, stating, "She is a winning machine." Following her ninth-place finish in the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff on May 3, the team focused on getting her back into form, carefully selecting races that would suit her strengths. Joseph highlighted her versatility, noting that while she is competitive at distances from six furlongs to a mile, her ideal race tends to be around seven furlongs.
Gaffalione echoed these sentiments, praising Mystic Lake’s ability to break alertly and dictate pace with ease. He noted that she always finds more when it matters, crediting Joseph and his crew for keeping her in peak form throughout the year. "Honestly, I didn’t think I was going that quick. She did that really easy," he remarked after the race.
The Road Ahead
With this victory, Mystic Lake improved to an impressive record of 11 wins from 20 starts, accumulating earnings of $1,447,642. Bred in Florida by Peggy Costanzo, she is a daughter of the Itsmyluckyday mare Salty Soul. The future for Mystic Lake involves discussions among her connections about possibly giving her a break before targeting races next year, suggesting that this could be the last time she competes in 2025.
Importance of the Liberty Bell Stakes
The Liberty Bell Stakes, taking place on Pennsylvania Derby Day, serves as a significant marker in the horse racing calendar. Winning this race adds to Mystic Lake’s credentials, showcasing her not just as a force in her home state but also across various competitive racing circuits. This victory highlights not only the filly’s natural athleticism but also the effective strategy employed by her connections—understanding when and where she excels.
Conclusion
As Mystic Lake continues her journey in the racing world, her recent performance in the Liberty Bell Stakes stands as a testimony to her capabilities. Whether it’s the calculated decisions of her team, her versatile running style, or her ability to perform under pressure, every aspect contributes to making her the "winning machine" she has become known for. As her connections weigh options for her future, fans and followers can look forward to seeing where her remarkable journey takes her next. The buzz around her performance suggests that she may just be getting started.
