Consistently proving she has a nose for the wire, Michael J. Ryan’s Be Your Best secured her third straight victory on Saturday with a hard-fought neck win in the $500,000 TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

The 5-year-old Irish-bred mare showcased her trademark determination, running down frontrunner In Our Time and fending off a late surge from Sacred Wish in the 1 1/16-mile grass stakes. With Edgard Zayas aboard, Be Your Best clocked the trip in 1:39.06, maintaining her streak of razor-thin victories.

In her two prior starts, including the Suwannee River Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream on December 21, Be Your Best prevailed by a length and a nose, continuing a pattern of narrow but decisive triumphs.

“She doesn’t win by much, but she always finds a way,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “Thank God she hung on. She’s been incredible since coming to our barn, and this win is special for everyone involved.”

The race unfolded with In Our Time setting a sharp pace, pursued closely by Be Your Best, who bided her time in the perfect stalking position. As the field turned for home, Zayas asked Be Your Best for her run, and the mare responded gamely, surging to the front just in time to deny Sacred Wish, who was flying late under jockey John Velazquez.

“I knew it set up perfectly for us,” Zayas said. “Once [In Our Time] went to the lead, I was able to sit right behind and wait for the right moment. She just kept grinding and never gave up.”

Velazquez, aboard runner-up Sacred Wish, acknowledged the challenge of closing the gap late. “When I got to the quarter pole, I thought, ‘I’d have to be Superman to catch her,’” Velazquez said.

In Our Time, another runner from Joseph’s barn, held on for third, 2 ½ lengths ahead of Pounce in fourth.

Be Your Best’s career resurgence has been nothing short of remarkable. After winning just two of her first 15 starts, she’s now strung together three consecutive victories since moving to Joseph’s barn in August.

“I’m incredibly grateful to Mike Ryan, who entrusted us with her,” Joseph said. “He’s been a huge supporter of mine over the years, and this win is as meaningful for him as it is for us. Be Your Best is a homebred, and that makes it even more special.”

With this win, Be Your Best has firmly established herself as a formidable contender in graded stakes company, proving that her recent success is no fluke. As she continues to build momentum, her team remains optimistic about what lies ahead.

“She just keeps getting better,” Zayas added. “She fights for every inch, and it’s an honor to ride her.”