After making a two-race test on the turf, JSM’s horse Autodiva (Constitution) returned to the dirt track and surged down the stretch on the far outside to deliver a stunning 14-1 upset in Thursday’s $175,000 Cash Run at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida.
The sixth running of the Cash Run, a one-turn mile race for newly turned 3-year-old fillies, was the first of three stakes races totaling $450,000 in prize money as part of the 10-race New Year’s Day special event marking the start of the 2026 championship meet.
Autodiva, ridden by David Egan and trained by Patrick Biancone, covered the fast main dirt track in 1:39.94 to earn her second win in seven starts. Previously, she won her debut race over a two-turn mile on Gulfstream’s turf on September 27 by three-quarters of a length.
She nearly repeated that performance over the same distance and course on December 6, finishing a close second, while earlier she finished last in the 1 1/16-mile Alcibiades (G1) at Keeneland.
Trainer Biancone explained, “I wanted some distance, so I initially went to the grass for the second turn, but she ran well the other day, so I decided to go back to dirt. David knows her well and rode her perfectly. She’s still very immature and will grow a lot.”
At the start of the race, Autodiva stayed calm while favorite Secane took an early lead from the far outside post, hitting the quarter mile in 24.93 seconds and the half in 48.48 seconds. Another stablemate, Jetty’s Home, challenged for second place closely behind.
Egan moved Autodiva forward at the far turn, following Nicon, who was in second place. With a clear path in the stretch, Autodiva edged past Nicon by a narrow margin, finishing just behind Secane in third.
Egan said, “I had a clear outside run and gradually worked my way forward. She closed within half a length of the two leaders. She’s hot-tempered, and I want to manage her gently, not rush her. She’s the boss. The plan was to keep her comfortable regardless of the break. She finds her rhythm when I let her.”
The full order saw Dunmore Beach, Vita Mia, and Jetty’s Home rounding out the finishers, while Blazing Brat, the runner-up in a recent race at Tampa Bay Downs, suffered an injury.
Biancone praised Autodiva’s talent, noting, “We’ve had her a long time and know her capabilities. The challenge was her difficulty on the circuit, being hard to saddle and get to the start. She improved with experience and racing.”
Biancone confirmed that Autodiva will remain on dirt and will be a key contender in Gulfstream’s 3-year-old filly stakes series. The series continues with the $150,000 Forward Gal (G3) seven-furlong sprint on January 31, followed by the $200,000 Davona Dale (G2) and the $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) over 1 1/16 miles on February 28 and March 28 respectively.
“We’re aiming next for the Forward Gal and then the Gulfstream Oaks. She’s a dirt horse — the turf was just a brief experiment at the second turn,” Biancone added.
Fan Take: Autodiva’s victory showcases the excitement and unpredictability that keeps horse racing thrilling for fans, proving that with the right guidance and growth, a young talent can defy expectations. Her promising future on dirt stakes at Gulfstream could invigorate the 3-year-old filly division and add compelling storylines to the sport’s championship meet.
