Win for the Money scores big victory in Mr. Steele S.

Live Oak Plantation’s Win for the Money earned his first stakes victory May 25 at Gulfstream Park with a dominating performance in the Mr. Steele S. in the 5-year-old’s first start of the season.

The chestnut son of Mohaymen was graded stakes placed twice late last year and out-classed his competition on Saturday afternoon.

Breaking from the outside post in the field of eight going 1 1/16-miles on the turf, Win for the Money settled nicely in third as the leaders sped through a half-mile in :46.50. After six furlongs in a quick 1:09.75, Win for the Money swiftly took command turning for home and was three lengths in front in a matter of strides. He was all alone in the final furlong, winning by 6 ¾-lengths in 1:38.51, just a half-second off the track record.

The superlative showing earned the winner a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 102.

“Honestly, we don’t give instructions. It’s more of how they break and go from there,” Nick Tomlinson, assistant to trainer Mark Casse, said. “Obviously, the race set up really nice for this horse. He’d been training extremely well, and he showed it today.”

Mr. Steele is now 4-4-1 in 13 starts and has earned $280,913.