Omaha Beach tallies second stakes winner of the weekend in Any Limit S.

Launch gets her first stakes win in the 2024 Any Limit S. at Gulfstream Park – Lauren King photo

Launch wore down the heavy favorite R Harper Rose in Sunday’s $100,000 Any Limit S. at Gulfstream Park to score her first stakes victory.

The 3-year-old filly was the second stakes winner of the weekend for Omaha Beach, following E J Won the Cup’s score in the Turf Paradise Derby. Omaha Beach leads all Second-Crop sires with seven stakes horses this season. His top 3-year-old colt, Time for Truth, is being pointed to the Arkansas Derby (G1) as his final Triple Crown prep.

Launch faced just two foes in the six-furlong Any Limit. R Harper Rose was intent on the lead and blazed through opening fractions of :21.58 and :44.65, with Launch tracking closely behind. Turning for home, Launch slowly wore down the pacesetter and drew clear late to win by 1 ¾-lengths in 1:10.90 on a fast track.

“I think she’s a better filly coming from behind,” said winning rider David Egan. “I felt she was pricking her ears and almost waiting for the other horses to come. She enjoyed the fight.”

After selling for $50,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling sale, Launch began her career in Europe, where she was Group 3-placed in six starts, all on the turf. She returned to the U. S. last autumn, promptly breaking her maiden on the main track at Delaware Park.

In three starts this year, she placed second in the Glitter Woman S. and won an allowance race prior to Sunday’s victory. Her lifetime record is now 3-2-3 in 11 starts, with earnings of $163,760 for owner AMO Racing.

Launch was bred by Peter Blum Thoroughbreds and is out of multiple stakes-placed Spark. Launch’s second dam Mon Belle is a full sister to Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Monarchos.