NEWS
Gozzip Girl dominant in American Oaks Invitational
Posted: Sunday, July 05, 2009 7:59 PM
GOZZIP GIRL
Benoit & Associates photo
To view a video replay of the American Oaks, click here.
by Mike Curry
Gozzip Girl shifted gears in the stretch and unleashed an explosive finishing kick to post a dominant 3 1/4-length triumph in the $700,000 American Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1) on Sunday at Hollywood Park.
The 1 1/4-mile turf race appeared to be wide open entering the stretch, but Gozzip Girl accelerated to a commanding lead with a visually impressive turn of foot under Kent Desormeaux. Trained by Tom Albertrani, the Dynaformer filly completed the distance on firm turf in 2:00.22 to post her fourth win in her five most recent starts for owner Farnsworth Stables.
“Tom [Albertrani] had her unbelievable; she’s given me an armchair ride,” Desormeaux said. “Once presented, she really took off and put them away.
"She's very much a lovely ride. She's very graceful.”
Sent off as the 2.20-to-1 favorite, Gozzip Girl entered the American Oaks off a 1 1/2-length win in the Sands Point Stakes (G2) on May 30 on yielding turf at Belmont Park (video). Prior to the Sands Point, she finished second by a neck to Hooh Why in the Ashland Stakes (G1) on the synthetic Polytrack surface at Keeneland Race Course.
“This was probably the toughest competition she had to face in all of her past few starts,” Albertrani said of Gozzip Girl, who also posted wins in the Herecomesthebride (G3) and Coconut Grove Stakes this season, both on the turf at Gulfstream Park. “I was happy where she was and she just came with that great turn of foot and was much the best today.
“She's done so well and she seems like she's improving all the time. We're almost thinking about trying her back on the dirt. We're going to talk about it, but the Alabama [Stakes (G1) on August 22] might be in our sights at Saratoga [Race Course]."
Afternoon Stroll set an honest pace through a half-mile in :47.47 before Third Dawn made a strong middle move to take control approaching the far turn. Gozzip Girl was reserved near the back of the field early, but Desormeaux moved her through traffic into ideal striking position approaching the lane, and when he asked for her bid from three wide entering the stretch, she responded willingly to shake free.
Honeymoon Handicap (G2) winner Well Monied closed with a rush from the far outside to finish second under Joel Rosario in her second career stakes race. Lexlenos (Ire) finished another half-length back in third in the 14-horse field. Fourth-place finisher Magical Affair appeared poised to launch a bid at the top of the stretch, but she was bottled up in traffic under Julien Leparoux and did not have a chance to accelerate until inside the final furlong.
Gozzip Girl improved to five wins in eight starts and more than doubled her career earnings to $782,194. Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, she is out of the Kingmambo mare Temperence Gift and is from the family of 1993 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner and sire Brocco.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
