The Frizette – Grade 1 – $400.000

AQU – For Fillies Two Years Old

1 Mile – Dirt

October 2, 2022

With KYO points and a ticket to the BC Juvenile Fillies on the line, Gumption (Alydar Stables) lived up to her name. After a poor showing in the Spinaway (Grade 1), she looked like she might be outmatched in this field. Luckily, she didn’t listen to any of that and put in a strong stalking run to win by a nose over Indien Rouge (Mb Stables), a filly she finished ahead of in the Adirondack.

It unfolded like this. They came out of the gate ten across the track and sorted themselves out for the first quarter mile. At the first call, favorite Lucky Star (Mb Stables) and Bourbon West Party (Mb Stables) had a length lead over Double Dragon (Fractious) with Gumption (Alydar Stables) two lengths behind her. Count The Souls (Chili King Stables) was just behind and to her inside. The next flight of Telling All (Nakamura Stables), Indien Rouge (Mb Stables) and Tokyo Story (Smokey Stover) ran just behind them, and the rest were stretched out behind them.

Into the turn for home, Lucky Star had established a half-length lead over Bourbon West Party. Double Dragon held her position on the rail third with Gumption to her outside a length back. Telling All made a big move on the outside while Counting Souls looked for room on the inside and Indien Rouge tried to get through between horses.

At the head of the stretch with a quarter mile to go, Lucky Star was almost two lengths ahead. Gumption separated herself from the pack and took aim at the leader. Bourbon West Party held on to third, but Indien Rouge threaded her way between horses and had nothing but open space in front of her.

They came to the wire three across the track – Lucky Star, Gumption and Indien Rouge with Tokyo Story right behind them. It looked like a dead heat, but it was Gumption by a nose at the wire.

Gumption was purchased for $165.000 from Tinkey back in June after breaking her maiden at first asking. That price seems like a bargain now. The daughter of Gumshoe out of Tamagin by Cherokee Desires is on her way to the BC with career earnings of $381.400. Congratulations to Alydar Stables and Gumption!

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES