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Florida
Florida-bred Mensa Part of Strong Casse Entry in Victoria – FTBOA
BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Florida-bred Mensa looks to rebound from an off the board finish last out in the $247,000 Kentucky Juvenile when he faces five rivals, including strong stablemate Into Diamonds, in the CA$125,000 Victoria at Woodbine Sunday. Trained by Mark Casse for the five-and-a-half-furlong contest on the synthetic main track, Mensa is the 5-2 second choice in the program behind favored Into Diamonds at 2-1.
Mensa was purchased by current owner Resolute Racing for $740,000 out of the Fasig-Tipton Digital Sale on April 29 after he won a four-and-a-half-furlong maiden special weight by three lengths at Gulfstream Park in his career debut on April 12.
He was unable to repeat his debut effort in his next start for the new owners however, fading to sixth after setting the pace in the five-furlong Kentucky Juvenile won by West Memorial at Churchill Downs on May 2.
Mensa is out of Lady Halite, by Medaglia d’Oro and was bred in Florida by Beth Bayer. Bayer sold him for $135,000 to D.J. Stable through her consignment at the 2021 Ocala Breeders’ Sales October Yearling Sale. A half-brother to multiple stakes-winning Florida-bred Recruiter and stakes-placed Florida-bred Miss Sayley, Mensa currently has earnings of $47,000 in his two starts.
Mensa will be ridden by Patrick Husbands from post two.
Into Diamonds enters the Victoria after winning a five-and-a-half-furlong maiden special weight by a neck on the Keeneland turf on April 25.
The son of Into Mischief out of Diamond Sparkles, by War Front is owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber, for who he earned $45,260 in his lone start.
Sahin Civaci will ride Into Diamonds from post six.
Another who comes into the Victoria off a maiden special weight victory in his debut is Your Valentino for trainer Alex McPherson.
The chestnut son of Tapiture has the benefit of his victory coming over the Woodbine synthetic, having won by a head after five furlongs on May 31.
Your Valentino is owned by Katie E. O’Connor and will be ridden from post five by Daisuke Fukumoto. They are 7-2 on the morning line.
Rounding out the field are Sol de Verano with jockey Fraser Aebly, Shadow Factor and rider Emma-Jayne Wilson and Ryan Munger will pilot Empower.
Florida-breds have won the Victoria 16 times starting with Bright Object in 1964 and Ring Francis in 1966, both bred by Ocala Stud Farms Inc. Big Drink of Water was the most recent Florida-bred winner of the Victoria in 2018 preceded by Conquest Whiplash (2013), Madam Diaries (2010), Olredlgetcha (2009), Southern Exchange (2008), Flamenco (2004), El Ruller (2002), Expected Ruler (2001), Erlton (1998), Torgan (1997), Gomtuu (1995), Dances With Fire (1992), Honey’s Answer (1984) and Solo Guy (1980).
Florida
Rainy stretch continues in South Florida
South Florida is experiencing a prolonged stretch of wet weather as deep tropical moisture combines with a stalled frontal boundary across the region.
The result has been frequent showers, thunderstorms, periods of heavy rainfall, and localized flooding concerns from Broward to Miami-Dade and throughout the Keys.
The atmosphere is loaded with moisture, allowing storms to produce intense downpours in a short amount of time.
Some neighborhoods have already seen several inches of rain, with additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms expected through the end of the week.
Flood-prone streets and poor drainage areas remain especially vulnerable during the heaviest rainfall.
While the rain is helping ease drought conditions, it is also increasing the risk of flash flooding and travel delays.
South Florida is two weeks into its rainy season, when abundant heat and humidity combine to generate daily rounds of showers and thunderstorms.
Heavy rainfall, frequent lightning, and gusty winds are common features of this time of year.
The good news? Drier air will gradually filter into parts of the region heading into the weekend, allowing rain chances to slightly decrease. Until then, keep the umbrella handy and be prepared for sudden tropical downpours.
Florida
Man accused of kidnapping woman at Wawa in Central Florida
NEWS
A man is in custody after deputies said he tried to kidnap a woman at a Wawa near Winter park. Per investigators, Matthew Seaberg approached the victim from behind, picked her up by the waist, and threw her into his truck.
Florida
Jury selection continues in fatal boat crash trial of South Florida real estate mogul George Pino
MIAMI — A new group of prospective jurors was questioned Tuesday in the trial of South Florida real estate mogul George Pino, who is charged in connection with a 2022 boat crash that killed a teenager in Miami-Dade County.
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During jury selection in a Miami-Dade courtroom, Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez asked potential jurors what they already knew about the case and whether they had recently seen or heard anything about it.
Several prospective jurors said they knew only basic details, including that a fatal boating crash occurred and that a teenage girl died. Others said they recalled media reports that alcohol may have been involved.
As questioning continued, some prospective jurors disclosed connections to schools and communities tied to the case.
Passengers aboard Pino’s boat included his wife, his teenage daughter and 11 of her friends, many of whom attended private schools in Miami-Dade County.
One prospective juror said they graduated from a local private school around the time of the crash and were familiar with some of the students involved.
Another said references to schools and witnesses brought back memories of seeing posts and articles about the incident shared on social media.
A third said their child participates in youth sports with students from schools connected to the case.
Investigators said the boat struck a channel marker while returning from an outing on Biscayne Bay. Seventeen-year-old Lourdes Academy student Lucy Fernandez drowned after the crash.
Tinkler Mendez also addressed concerns that a prospective juror had been viewing a news report about the case on a cellphone while waiting outside the courtroom.
Another prospective juror reported hearing the report but said it was not loud enough for everyone in the area to hear.
Tinkler Mendez reminded prospective jurors to avoid news coverage and social media discussions related to the case as jury selection continues.
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