The Gallorette Handicap (Grade 3)- $150.000 Purse
PIM- For Filles and Mares Three Years Old and Upward
One Mile And One Sixteenth On The Turf
May 16, 2015

There was nothing chilly about the 2015 running of the Gallorette Handicap.   Chilly Mile had won it in 2013, and fared well in her third place finish last year.   But Behold!  Today would not be the day for Chilly Mile, and instead it would be Beholder, an impressive four year filly by El Baba, who has now won five of her last six.  This streak now consists of two graded wins plus a pretty nice ungraded score, so Beholder is certainly one to watch right now! It is the fifth career grade three win for trainer Robeth, who bred this horse and continues to stand by her side.  Aboard the race winner was J R Velazquez, who also rode 2014 winner In Dreams.   Beholder took the mile 1 1/16 in a time of 1:39.86, the second fastest Gallorette in history.   Here’s how it happened!

1st- 2- Beholder (7/1)- Our eventual racewinner was comfortably positioned from the start for Robeth.  Velazquez kept his filly just a length or two off the early fractions with a good inside position.  Made a move around Chilly Mile midway through the backstretch run with Velazquez looking to set up a move on the leaders.  Made her move to get by French Hottie in the top stretch, and was made to earn it in the stretch, until the final furlong when Beholder was just too much for her rival, and Velazquez rode her on home to the victory! Congrats to all of the connections!

2nd- 7- French Hottie (11/1)- Good out of the gate for trainer D J C Racing Stables, crossing the finish line the first time around in front, and setting the opening quarter in :23.54, and half in :47.29.   Remained in good stride exiting the turn, and fought gamely with Beholder until the last furlong, when it looked as though she was beginning to tire.  Fortunately for her trainer, she had just enough to hold off Miss Graceful.

3rd- 6- Miss Graceful (5/2)- The La Canada Racehorses filly was unhurried out of the gate by jockey S Russell, spotting the leaders about six lengths or so early.  Heading into the final turn, Miss Graceful was told that it was time to go, and she positioned herself for the stretch, advancing on the leaders.  Made a game late bid, and it earned her the third position.

4th- 4- Lara Croft (5/1)- Hung out in the back early with Miss Graceful for trainer Scorpion Stables.  Began to get it in gear at about the same time that Miss Graceful would, but as that one ended up getting by her, Lara Croft maneuvered through traffic along the inside, but would not have quite enough to get into the top three.

5th- 1- Canned Heat (7/1)- Uneventful start for the Spankys Barn entry, as the filly was midpack around the first turn, running by herself along the rail, minding her own business.   This pretty much summed up her day, as she had no stretch response in the stretch, but had enough to pass those who had tired.

6th- 3- Chilly Mile (7/2)- Just off the lead early, showed some interest in getting up with the top two around the first turn before T Hole backed off the Captainj entry.  Lost some ground in the backstretch, and then a little more is they approached the final turn.  At this point it became evident that today would not be her day.  Flat in stretch.

7th- 5- Thirlling Baby (4/1)- Started well out of the gate for trainer Nakamura Stables, being content to stalk the early pace in the second position.   Continued to stay alongside leader French Hottie during the backstretch run, and into the final turn.  Packed it in during the stretch, particularly in the final furlong.

Track: Firm
Time: :23²  :47¹  1:10²  1:39⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 2 – 7 Paid 161.60
$1 Trifecta: 2 – 7 – 6 Paid 421.00

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade III