by Ed DeRosa

Frank Stronach’s homebred champion Ginger Punch, who suffered the worst defeat of her career when third by eight lengths in the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) on April 5 at Oaklawn Park, returned to the winner’s circle on Friday at Churchill Downs where she easily defeated four rivals, including Grade 1 winner Lear’s Princess, in the Louisville Stakes (G2).

Ginger Punch’s win coincided with Rafael Bejarano’s return to the saddle. Bejarano had ridden her in the six races before the Apple Blossom loss, but he was recovering from an injury when she ran in that race.

Ginger Punch settled just off the pace around the first turn in the 1 1/16 mile race, and she cruised to the front down the backstretch, but Bejarano did not ask his mount for run until the far turn. Ginger Punch responded and turned for home with a two-length advantage that she stretched out to a 3 3/4-length victory.

The five-year-old Awesome Again mare gave her connections a slight scare when she jumped a puddle the tracks left by the starting gate near the sixteenth pole, but she was well clear as the winning 1-to-2 favorite.

“The first jump out of the gate, she was a little slow,” Bejarano said. “We were supposed to have the lead. She likes to run on the lead, but it was OK.”

“She ran her race,” trainer Bobby Frankel said. “Everything worked out well.”

Lear’s Princess, who defeated Belmont Stakes (G1) winner and eventual champion Rags to Riches in the Gazelle Stakes (G1) last year, was returning to dirt for the first time since the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), and though she made a bold move on the far turn, she never threatened Ginger Punch.

Leah’s Secret ran evenly throughout to finish second with early pacesetter Unforgotten checking in fourth, and Grade 2 winner Kettleoneup completing the order of finish in the compact field.

Ginger Punch has won nine of 17 races, including three of the last four and six of the last eight, and has earned $2,375,603.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Ed DeRosa is news editor of Thoroughbred Times