Patience paid off when Wertheimer & Frere’s 4-year-old PORQUEROLLES made his first start at Gulfstream Park on Thursday, February 15. The son of Speightstown had the services of John Velazquez in the maiden special weight going 7 1/2 furlongs on the grass.

He made it clear early that he wanted to be right up with the leaders, sitting third behind front-running Kake’s Arrow. He drew even with the Michael Matz trainee by the quarter pole, and a gutsy battle to the wire ensued. The photo showed Porquerolles getting his nose on the wire first.

Some fun facts about Porquerolles, which is pronounced por-kuh-rowl (the French pronunciation is much more exotic for those who speak the language!) He’s named for an island in the Iles d’Hyeres, Var, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur, France. Famous for its exquisite beaches and turquoise waters, the region is often referred to as “The Nantucket of the Mediterranean” and offers mild winters, hot summers, a cool sea breeze and averages 300 sunny days annually. So it’s only fitting that he made such an impressive debut in the Florida sun!

Bred in Kentucky, Porquerolles is out of the Indian Charlie mare Corail. Congratulations again to Wertheimer & Frere on another win by one of their homebreds!