Teresa and David Palmer’s Liberty Rings ($17.60) registered a front-running victory in the $125,000 Royal Palm Juvenile Fillie at Gulfstream Saturday, graduating in her second career start in her first start on turf.
“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 trainer Nicholas Palmer, the owners’ son.
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The daughter of Awesome Slew, who just missed graduating while finishing third with a four-wide drive that fell just a half-length short in her debut on dirt, demonstrated a new dimension while setting all the pace and drawing off to win the five-furlong co-feature for fillies on turf by 1 ¼ lengths.
“Not surprised she made the lead. Surprised in her first race she wasn’t loose on the lead,” Palmer said. “But I think that race really tightened the screws and got her focused.”
Liberty Rings set fractions of :21.76 and :44.50 for a half mile before completing five furlongs in :56.58. under Miguel Vasquez, to give her trainer his first stakes score.
“It’s a career defining moment. We’ve been trying really hard to win a stakes, so this is a big deal for us.,” Palmer said.
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Hall of Famer Mark Casse ran second and third with Pros and Cons and Sass Sass, who finished a neck apart. Pot’s Right, the 1-2 favorite, was never a factor while finishing fourth.
Like, Celtic Dispute, who won the Royal Palm Juvenile earlier in the day, Liberty Rings earned automatic entry into one of six stakes during the Royal Ascot Meeting at Ascot Racecourse and a $25,000 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.
This story was originally published by Paulick Report on May 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Paulick Report as a Preferred Source by clicking here.