Live Oak's homebred Successful Song captured the largest purse of her career in what was likely her final start Saturday at Gulfstream Park, winning the $300,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Distaff by 3 ¼ lengths.

Winner of the $100,000 Ocala S. at Gulfstream in her previous start, Successful Song saved ground under jockey Joel Rosario throughout the running of the 1 1/8-mile stakes for Florida-bred fillies and mares. After tracking Delray Lady around the first turn and along the backstretch, Rosario slipped the 6-5 favorite inside the longshot pacesetter to grab the lead entering the far turn.
The multiple stakes-winning mare opened up a clear lead on the turn into the homestretch and was never seriously challenged to the finish line, getting the 1 1/8 miles over a sloppy track in 1:52.28.

“She did what she needed to do. She’s getting good, and I guess she’s getting ready to start her new career,” said trainer Eddie Plesa Jr.. “This easily could have been (her last start), that was the plan unless they change their minds. We’ll see what happens.”

“She broke well and there wasn't much speed early on in the race, where my horse likes to run close to the pace,” Rosario said. “I made a move at the 1/2 mile pole because they weren't going too quick in front. She was the best today, I'm glad we won."
Successful Song, who boosted her career earnings to $597,538 with the $180,000 winner’s share of the purse. The 6-year-old is 8-5-5 in 27 starts, with five black-type wins to her credit.

Whether her connections change their minds about retiring her, Successful Song will be turned out.

“Every year that we’ve had her since she was 2, we’ve sent her to the farm. Under normal circumstances, she’d be at the farm right now, resting for about 45 days,” Plesa said. “Again, the plans are to breed her, but no matter what, she’d be leaving after this race to go to the farm for one reason or another.”

Successful Song is out of the two-time stakes winner Song for Annie, who is a half-sister to Grade 3 winners Ok by Me and D J's Rainbow.