Jorge Ruiz is on a roll. Yesterday he piloted Sparkle Blue to victory in the Hillsborough Stakes-G2 at Tampa Bay Downs. In this afternoon’s second race at Gulfstream, he guided ROYAL WINTOUR to her maiden-breaker going a mile and 70 yards on the turf.

Never farther than a half-length back, the pair skimmed the rail and avoided a bit of unsettled traffic early on. Taking the lead at the 3/4 pole, they drew off and continued to the wire finishing 2 1/4 lengths in front. This was Royal Wintour’s second start. She was a gritty second – by a head – in her debut at Gulfstream on February 11, also with Jorge in the tack.

Now 3, Royal Wintour was bred in Kentucky by Don M. Robinson and Allen Schubert. She is by graded stakes winner Demarchelier (GB) out of multiple graded stakes placed Quiet Royal, by Royal Academy.  Congratulations to her owners Newstead Stables LLC on this first win with their promising filly!