SV Photography
By Sarah Mace
Antonino Miuccio’s Sheriffa, a 5-year-old daughter of Posse, collected her third career stakes victory with a front-running performance in the $50,000 Jack Betta Be Rite at Finger Lakes, a 1 1/16-mile race for New York-bred fillies and mares.
Despite getting out of the gate a step slow under jockey Oscar Gomez, Sheriffa, the 9-5 second choice, made up the deficit in short order and took clear command of the six-horse field by the time the horses passed under the wire for the first time.
Enjoying an uncontested lead along the backstretch through a half mile in 48.94, and still leading by three lengths into the far turn, Sheriffa never experienced a serious challenge, cruising home a 3 1/4-length winner in a final time of 1:45.02.
Dark Desire, second throughout, earned the place money, finishing two lengths ahead of 3-5 favorite One More Act. The rest of the field, Bajan Beach, My Wild Gata and Mom’s Law were well separated from the top three. [VIDEO]
Trainer Linda Rice claimed Sheriffa for Miuccio for $16,000 out of a winning effort in a Belmont sprint on September 12, 2014. In 2015 Sheriffa earned $266,334 winning both the Critical Eye Stakes and Staten Island division of the New York Stallion series. Apparently overmatched in her two most recent starts this year, the Biogio’s Rose on February 7 and Critical Eye on May 30, she clearly relished the time off and the class relief in Farmington.
Bred by Colts Neck Stables LLC and foaled at Vinery New York in Hudson, Sheriffa is one of two winners produced by Smileforamile, a winning Virginia-bred daughter of Unbridled’s Song. Her filly by Orientate, Love Your Smile, has won seven races and earned nearly $200,000 sprinting. The mare currently has a yearling filly by Posse and a weanling colt by Afleet Alex.
Sheriffa now has seven wins, four seconds and five thirds to her credit from 23 career starts and has earned $469,984.
