NEWS
Gabby's Golden Gal shines in Acorn upset
Posted: Saturday, June 06, 2009 7:22 PM
GABBY'S GOLDEN GAL
Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo
To view the Acorn Stakes, click here.
by Frank Angst
The filly that trainer Bob Baffert calls his "Little Keg of Dynamite" blew away eight other three-year-old fillies in the $300,000 Acorn Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Belmont Park.
After breaking well from post position two, Gabby's Golden Gal quickly established a clear lead and never relinquished that advantage in the one-mile test, scoring a 1 3/4-length victory.
"She does break out of the gate and I took advantage," winning rider Javier Castellano said. "The track is speedy today and the rail is very good."
After the race, Gabby's Golden Gal showed signs of exhaustion. She received a ten-minute shower from a hose and was doused with ice water from sponges. Although she skipped the winner's circle ceremony, she appeared to be revitalized as she walked off the track.
In Gabby's Golden Gal's previous race, the Medaglia d'Oro filly contested the early lead with Rachel Alexandra in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) before giving way to the eventual winner and fading to sixth. Rachel Alexandra subsequently won the BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (G1) in her next start.
"We led Rachel Alexandra in the last," winning owner-breeder Arnold Zetcher said. "It was a little different today."
On a track that several riders said was favoring inside speed, Gabby's Golden Gal quickly seized the lead and maintained a clear advantage through a quarter-mile in :22.61 and a half-mile in :45.39. She had plenty left to answer a late surge from 9-to-10 favorite Justwhistledixie, completing one mile in 1:34.79 on a track rated as fast.
The victory was special for Zetcher as Gabby's Golden Gal is out of Gabriellina Giof (GB), the first horse to ever win a race for Zechter.
Gabby's Golden Gal continues a big year for Sunland Park. Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Mine That Bird prepped in the Sunland Derby while Gabby's Golden Gal won the Sunland Park Oaks by 13 lengths in her final prep for the Kentucky Oaks. The Acorn is the first graded stakes win for Gabby's Golden Gal.
Justwhistledixie, who finished second, had won her five previous races, including a pair of Grade 2 stakes at Gulfstream Park.
"She ran a good one, the speed is just too good today," said Justwhistledixie's rider, Julien Leparoux.
Casanova Move finished another three-quarters of a length behind in third.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
To view the Acorn Stakes, click here.
Frank Angst is senior writer for THOROUGHBRED TIMES
