Leo Toro took the lead right out of the starting gate and took the field all the way to notch her first Stakes victory in the Ginger Punch Handicap at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, Sept. 20.
The four-year-old Nyquist filly, who has now won three straight since being transferred to trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.’s barn, earned her first Stakes win in the Ginger Punch. She also became the third Stakes winner of the weekend for Nyquist, who was also represented by Encino (Presque Isle Mile) and Immersive (Seneca Overnight Stakes).
Leo Toro was sent to the early lead by jockey Micah Husbands right out of the gate. She faced pressure throughout the mile and seventy-yard contest (originally scheduled for one mile on turf) from rivals Lets Go Koko and Starship Impulsive. Leo Toro continued to lead into the stretch, finally shaking free of her rivals nearing the wire to win by a half-length.
Leo Toro was bred in Kentucky by Rajendra Maharajh and is out of the multiple Stakes-placed/Graded Stakes-placed mare, Runfor Ro (Afleet Alex).
Nyquist is the sire of three G1 winners so far this season – Argos (G1 Summer Stakes), Cavalieri (G1 Beholder Mile) and Velocity (G1 Del Mar Oaks). He is also the sire of additional 2025 Graded Stakes winners Nysos (G2), Verity (G2), Crimson Advocate (G2), Tenma (G2), Gosger (G3) and Randomized (G3).
