The Gazelle (KYO) (Grade 2)- $300.000 Purse
AQU- For Fillies Three Years Old
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
April 7, 2018

The Gazelle seemed to be a case of Diminuendo versus everyone else. On paper, the filly from Smokey Stover appeared to be the class of the field, but as we saw on Saturday, we actually run the race for a reason. In the end, it would be Jinxed Queen, a filly from Gdp Inc who knows how to win, after all she had done so in four of six starts prior to this race. The Gazelle was a challenge like none other for her, but as would be the theme in big races at AQU, the step up in class would be a non-factor. It is the first win in the stake for both the trainer, and the jockey, D E Centeno. Congratulations to them! The time of the race was 1:48.70, the quickest time in the last three years for the stake. Here’s a look at it!

(½ Mile- :47.71)- Fascinating Bottom (Toppedout) is the quickest out of the gate from her outside position, and she at one point jumps out to a quick two and a half length lead as they go around the opening turn. Entering the top of the backstretch, she is restrained a little bit from showing too much early speed. Nice Tactical Speed (Maxmillion Farm) tried to live up to her name and would run second after four furlongs, and would pull to within a length on the outside. Diminuendo was involved early as well for Smokey Stover, being between Nice Tactical Speed, and Ghost Havoc (Jive Inc.) who was a length a half off the lead while on the rail. In the middle of the field, Wrapped Around (Mb Stables) and Windian (Team 7 Illusions) ran side by side, while at the back we had Jinxed Queen (Gdp Inc) and Prompt (Team 7 Illusions). Despite being at the back, Jinxed Queen was a reasonable four and a half length back here.

(3/4 Mile- 1:11.63)- As the field moved down the backstretch, it would be Nice Tactical Speed taking over the lead, and doing so while in the fourth lane. Diminuendo seemed to be in good shape still, as she and Ghost Havoc moved over a lane to complete the pass of Fascinating Bottom. That one was trying to hang on, but seemingly in trouble. Wrapped Around kept the leaders in check, and possibly was considering a five wide move as they neared the exit of the turn. Jinxed Queen gained two lengths in these two furlongs, leaving the pair from Team 7 Illusions at the rear of the field.

(Top Of Stretch- 1.7F To Go)- Diminuendo continued to run well, and as they moved into the stretch, she had poked a head in front. All that was left for her to do here was run like the favorite that she was. However, it was not panning out that way, as Ghost Havoc prepared to pass her along to the inside. More trouble for the favorite loomed in the form of Jinxed Queen, who had nothing but daylight in front of her along the inside. She had moved into fourth, and was within a length and a half. Nice Tactical Speed was still third here, running in four wide. Wrapped Around was still close, but did not seem to be making a push forward here. Fascinating Bottom was starting to fade away from the lead pack, as neither Windian nor Prompt had a run coming for Team 7 Illusions.

(Finish- 1:48.70)- Early in the stretch, Ghost Havoc took the lead on Diminuendo, but with less then a furlong to go, Jinxed Queen was at her best, finding a stretch speed that the others would be unable to match. She made the pass pretty easily, and would get the win by a length. Ghost Havoc held off Diminuendo for third, and Nice Tactical Speed was her shadow to the outside for the second half of the race, finishing fourth. Wrapped Around was fifth, running level with those in front of her. Rounding out the field would be Prompt, Fascinating Bottom, and Windian.

About The Winner: Jinxed Queen, trained by Gdp Inc and ridden to victory by D E Centeno, is a three year old filly by Z Jinxed One, and out of Thequeenhasspoken. She was bred in the great breeding state of Pennsylvania by Gdp Inc as a second quarter two year old, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her fifth in seven starts, and its her first stake win of any sort. Her career earnings are now $255.900.

Track: Fast
Time: :47³  1:11³  1:36   1:48³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 2 – 1 Paid 106.10
$1 Trifecta: 2 – 1 – 4 Paid 100.00

Scratched: Sprinkles

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES