Despite returning from a five-month layoff while also trying the course and stretching out to 1 1/2 miles for the first time in her career, Sultana proved more than equal to the task in Saturday’s $175,000 Orchid Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Sultana wore down the pacesetting Ayra Stark in the final strides to upset the Grade 3 fixture at odds of 18-1 under a well-timed ride by jockey Junior Alvarado.

Sultana, a 5-year-old, came into the Orchid idle since rallying from last to a game head victory going 1 1/4 miles in the Grade 3 Maple Leaf at Woodbine on Nov. 8. That win was the third in just five starts for Sultana.

A daughter of Kentucky Derby hero Always Dreaming, Sultana was bred by Michael J. Snyder and was sold by Legacy Bloodstock at the 2022 Keeneland September Sale. She’s the third Legacy Bloodstock sales grad to win a black type race in 2026.

Trainer Kevin Attard opted to freshen Sultana after her 2025 finale, pin-pointing the Orchid all along for her return. The plan worked to perfection on Saturday.

As expected, Sultana dropped back to near the rear of the seven-horse field, but kept within easy striking distance of the pacesetting Ayra Stark, who was prompted from the outset by Ramsey Pond.

Sultana commenced her rally on the final turn, angled five wide to continue her bid into the stretch, and responded to vigorous urging out near the center of the course to wear down the leader at the end.

Ayra Stark was under a strong hold controlling the pace along the hedge for the opening 10 furlongs. She relinquished the lead dropping back a length inside Ramsey Pond approaching the stretch, came on again when sharply roused to re-capture the advantage nearing the furlong marker, but could not quite last. Speed Shopper, winner of the Grade 3 Christophe Clement Stakes earlier in the meet, rallied belatedly to finish third, another three parts of a length farther back.

Sultana completed the distance in 2:24.47 seconds (88 Beyer Speed Figure) over a firm course and returned $39.20. She’s now a 4-time winner, with a 2nd and a 3rd, in 6 career starts and has banked $237,941 for the partnership of Lou Donato, Theodore Manziaris, Paul Borrelli and Lanni Bloodstock.

“We ran her once on the turf last season, I thought it was her best performance, and I was anxious to get her back on the grass, although coming off the layoff and going a mile and one half was a tough ask,” said Attard, who won his third race in as many days this week.

“I was a little worried about the pace setup coming off the bench, although it actually turned out to be a lot quicker than I thought. Junior gave her a great ride. He got her to settle and when he called on her she came with a good run. Everything just fell together in place for us and I’m extremely proud of her.”