Teresa and David Palmer’s homebred Liberty Rings, a talented 2-year-old filly by Awesome Slew, has shown impressive adaptability by winning stakes races on both turf and dirt. With two wins from four starts—her first victory came on grass, followed by a triumph on dirt—she is set to return to the turf Saturday in the $100,000 Hollywood Beach stakes, a five-furlong race where she will compete against male horses.
Trainer Nick Palmer, son of the owners, is enthusiastic about Liberty Rings’ progress, praising her recent training efforts. The filly, who is the 3-1 morning-line favorite, made a strong showing in her debut on Gulfstream’s dirt track, finishing third despite a wide trip. She then secured a front-running victory on turf, which earned her an invitation to compete in a Royal Ascot stakes, though her connections declined due to concerns she wasn’t quite ready for such a challenge.
After a less successful attempt at Churchill Downs in the dirt-stakes Debutante, Liberty Rings bounced back with a solid wire-to-wire win in the six-furlong Scandalous Act on dirt. Palmer believes she is maturing well and was encouraged by her recent workout, which solidified the decision to run her in the Hollywood Beach. When asked about her preferred surface, Palmer admitted he’s still figuring her out but suspects she might ultimately excel in longer turf races.
Miguel Vasquez, who has ridden Liberty Rings in all her starts, will be aboard again Saturday. Other notable runners include Road to Midnight, a 7-2 turf favorite trained by David Braddy who impressed in his second start, and Riyadh Way, making his stakes debut at 4-1 odds after a commanding turf victory. Trainer Tareq Moubarak notes Riyadh Way has matured significantly since his debut.
Peter Vegso’s Lord Henry, coming off a turf maiden win, drops back in distance as he trains for longer races later in the season, showing promising speed and talent under trainer Joe Orseno. Additional contenders in the field are Ford Roadster, returning from a layoff; Dream With Me Florida’s Expectations, a strong second in her first race; King Cousin B., a recent turf winner; and Sir Angelus, making his turf debut after a dirt victory.
This update was originally published by Paulick Report on September 24, 2026, in the News section.
Fan Take: Liberty Rings’ remarkable ability to compete and win on both turf and dirt at such a young age makes her one to watch, potentially shaping the future versatility expected in top-level thoroughbreds. For horse racing fans, this race signals the excitement of emerging stars capable of challenging traditional surface preferences, adding depth and intrigue to the sport’s competitive landscape.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
