Proud Spell, Ginger Punch Rally
Win Kentucky Oaks, Louisville Stakes in Stretch Drives
Proud Spell and Ginger Punch won their Kentucky Oaks and Louisville Stakes runs, respectively, in impressive stretch drives. The two races were run at Churchill Downs.
Running at Churchill Downs May 2, Proud Spell won the Kentucky Oaks, the premier, 1-1/8 miles, graded 1, $500,000 event for 3-year-old fillies, and Ginger Punch triumphed in the $300,000, graded 2 Louisville Stakes. Both fillies used impressive stretch drives to win.
Proud Spell Rebounds
Coming into the Kentucky Oaks from a third place finish in the Ashland at Keeneland Race Course, Proud Spell was challenged by Pure Clan, who ran third in the Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn, and Country Star, who went fifth in the Ashland. At the backstretch, Little Belle and Bsharpsonata traded the lead before Proud Spell got into winning stride at the 3/16 pole. Bsharpsonata faded, and Little Belle couldn't handle Proud Spell's spurt.
The winning filly, ridden by Gabriel Saez, pulled away to a 5 lengths advantage. Pure Clan, with Edgar Prado aboard, came up for third, as Little Belle hung on for second. Proud Spell's time on the sloppy track was 1:50.01. Larry Jones trains Proud Spell.
Ginger Punch Punches Out Four Others
Ginger Punch, trained by Bobby Frankel, took a little water jump in the stretch of the Louisville Stakes for older fillies and mares, but was unaffected, jockey Rafael Bejarano said. Slow out of the gate, Ginger Punch found the lead, where she prefers to run, a tad later than normal, but had her game down the lane, Bejarano explained.
The filly went the 1-1/16 miles on a fast surface in 1:43.08, winning by 3-3/4 lengths over second best, Leah's Secret, and third place finisher, Lear's Princess, the race's 3-1 second favorite.
Aegon Turf Sprint
Mr. Nightlinger won the $100,000 Aegon Turf Sprint, a graded 3 event for older horses. The field went five furlongs on turf. Mr. Nightlinger beat out Salute the Count by one length, covering the dash in :56.18. Atticus Kristy placed third.
Ridden by Jamie Theriot, Mr. Nightlinger is trained by Bret Calhoun.
Edgewood Stakes
Eight 3-year-old fillies contested the $150,000 Edgewood Stakes, a 1-1/16 miles romp on turf. Jockey Kent Desormeaux was triumphant on Zee Zee, who covered the course in 1:44.73 and beat the field by 1-3/4 lengths. My Baby Baby finished second. Magger Bags showed. Zee Zee's trainer is Bill Mott.
Crown Royal American Turf
The graded 3, $150,000 Crown Royal American Turf for 3-year-olds winner, Tizdejavu, covered the 1-1/16 miles in 1:46.14, holding off Sailor's Cap by a neck. Nistle's Crunch was third. Garrett Gomez rode Tizdejavu against eight contestants. The colt's trainer is Greg Fox.
Alysheba Stakes
Giant Gizmo, ridden by Bejarano, won the $150,000 Alysheba Stakes, a graded 3 race for older horses, on a sloppy track. He beat six rivals in the 1-1/16 miles event, drawing off to triumph by 3-3/4 lengths in time of 1:43.96. Giant Gizmo, who bested Better Than Bonds and Wanderin Boy, is a Frankel schoolee.
