Jockey Keith Pleasance’s 4-year-old filly, Synthetic, delivered an impressive display in Saturday’s top dirt sprint at the Fairgrounds. The Louisiana-bred Midshipman filly, trained by Joseph Bobby Felkes, maintained her flawless record by defeating seven Kentucky competitors by nine and a half lengths over six furlongs, finishing in 1:08.65 on the fast track.
Although Synthetic didn’t break the track record, her time was the fastest recorded for this distance locally since millionaire Miles Ahead set a 1:08.49 mark during the 2023 Thanksgiving Classic graded stakes. Synthetic now boasts a perfect 4-for-4 record with all wins guided by jockey Emmanuel Nieves.
Trainer Felkes shared high praise for the filly, saying, “I had high hopes for her before she started, but I didn’t expect yesterday’s performance. I knew she had talent but not to this extent.” While plans for her next race are not finalized, she may next compete in the $100,000 Overcharged Stakes, a five-and-a-half furlong turf sprint restricted to Louisiana-bred horses, scheduled for March 22. Felkes noted he had yet to discuss future plans with the owner, and Pleasance originally purchased Synthetic for $75,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling Sale.
Felkes emphasized Synthetic’s speed was evident early on, saying, “Even before she started racing, she showed she was fast. We knew we had a strong runner but weren’t sure just how exceptional she’d be. After yesterday, I’m starting to think she’s special.”
In her previous race, Synthetic competed against a state-bred colt when the filly division lacked enough entrants. Felkes remarked that the field was not strong, and she won comfortably without much urging. However, Saturday’s race demonstrated even greater potential—one he hadn’t anticipated.
Though Synthetic was near or leading throughout the race, Felkes stressed she isn’t solely a front-runner. “Yes, she can relax when needed. She’s a push-button type,” he said. Regarding distance, Felkes plans to test her over longer routes but is not ready to race her beyond a mile yet.
Synthetic’s calm and intelligent nature also impresses her team. “She’s very laid-back and smart,” Felkes noted. “Jockey Emmanuel Nieves often comments on her intelligence. While usually poised in the paddock, she was alert and sharp yesterday. She’s in excellent condition today.”
Physically, Felkes believes the filly has matured at an ideal pace. “After breaking her maiden, I gave her some time off, which really helped. Her hindquarters are strengthening, and at four years old, that’s expected.”
For Felkes, such a talented horse is a rare find given his small-scale operation. “Horses of this caliber often aren’t available to smaller trainers. I raced a bit last year but feel like I’m starting fresh this season.”
Felkes, a Chicago native, began training independently in 2021 after working under the late Eddie Johnston. He holds a career record of 43 wins, 20 seconds, and 18 thirds from 158 starters, translating to a 27% win rate.
This article originally appeared in the Paulick Report on February 1, 2026.
Fan Take: Synthetic’s dominant runs prove that rising stars can emerge from less-heralded stables, adding fresh excitement to the sport. Her performances signal a promising future for dirt sprint racing and highlight the importance of opportunities for smaller trainers to shine on big stages.
