Last week, Florida’s Leading Freshman Sire Wildcat Heir closed out 2009 by tying a world record with 39 2-year-old winners. On Saturday, Jan. 9th that momentum carried over to 2010, as the brilliant Grade 1-winning son of Forest Wildcat picked up his first graded stakes winner when his undefeated 3-year-old filly Richiegirlgonewild ran her record to three-for-three with an impressive front-running score in the $100,000 Old Hat S. (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

Despite rainy condition and a sloppy local main track, Richiegirlgonewild broke from the gate like a shot and took command early in the six-furlong race, blitzing through fractions of 22.38 for the opening quarter and 46.35 for the half-mile. The speedy bay filly was comfortably cruising on the lead approaching the top of the stretch, as the rest of the field tried to rally. But Richiegirlgonewild had plenty left in the tank and splashed home powerfully in the stretch to prove best. She finished a length on top, stopping the clock in 1:11.86.

Trained by Larry Rivelli, Richiegirlgonewild was making her stakes debut following winning her first two starts at two different tracks and surfaces by a combined seven lengths. After breaking her maiden going away in her debut over the Arlington Park Polytrack in May, she most recently ran out of condition and captured a level-two allowance race at Charles Town in strong fashion. But the Old Hat was her coming-out party, and now Richiegirlgonewild moves to the top of the 3-year-old filly ranks in south Florida.

"We bought her at the sales ($100,000 OBS March 2-year-old)," Rivelli said. "She had worked fast for the sale and later on even out-worked older horses in my barn before she ever started.

"We were looking ahead to the OBS races (restricted and run at the Ocala Training Center in March), but now that she’s won a graded stakes, that may change. I think she’ll go seven-eighths and we’ll definitely look at the Forward Gal (Grade 2, Jan. 31 at Gulfstream)."

Richiegirlgonewild's Old Hat performance earned her a Beyer Speed Figure of 78, and more importantly earned owner Richard Ravin $60,000. Richiegirlgonewild now holds career earnings of $93,600. Out of the Saint Ballado mare Dream With Angels, Richiegirlgonewild was bred in Florida by Robert and Mary Harris, who sold the filly to Ravin OBS.

Richiegirlgonewild wasn’t the only highlight on the stakes card Saturday at Gulfstream for Wildcat Heir, as his 3-year-old colt Wildcat Frankie was a valiant second in the $100,000 Spectacular Bid S. after making the lead and yielding late in the six-furlong race. The bay colt was bumped soundly on the turn and still held on well in the stretch in just his second lifetime start, losing by just 1 ½ lengths over the sloppy track and earning a fast 96 Beyer. He earned a 95 Beyer in his impressive 15 ½-length debut win at Calder last month.