American Gal starts 3-year-old season for new trainer

ELMONT, N.Y. – When Abel Tasman won the Grade 1 Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos last December, she defeated American Gal. At the time, Simon Callaghan trained Abel Tasman, and Bob Baffert trained American Gal. In this game filled with fickle owners, it was only a few short months later that Abel Tasman was moved to Baffert’s barn and American Gal wound up with Callaghan.

While Abel Tasman has climbed to the top of the 3-year-old filly division with victories in the Kentucky Oaks and Acorn Stakes, American Gal will just be getting her 3-year-old season started in Sunday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Victory Ride Stakes at Belmont Park.

American Gal is one of just five 3-year-old fillies entered in the Victory Ride, which at 6 1/2 furlongs is a stepping-stone to the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga on Aug. 5.

American Gal won her first two races sprinting before finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and second in the Starlet. She was given time off and ultimately was transferred after owner Kaleem Shah and Baffert ended their business relationship.

Callaghan said he’s had American Gal for three or four months, and she shows nine workouts since mid-April preparing for her return.

“We took our time to get her ready,” Callaghan said. “We think we have her where she needs to be for this race.”

Flavien Prat will ride American Gal from post 3. She gets in with 113 pounds, a 10-pound weight concession from Golden Mischief and eight from Vertical Oak, both trained by Steve Asmussen.

Vertical Oak went into the starting gate as the favorite for the Jersey Girl Stakes here on June 11 but didn’t come out with the others. Vertical Oak was deemed to be in the hands of the assistant starter and was declared a non-starter by the stewards.

Golden Mischief finished a well-beaten second in the Jersey Girl behind California invader Chalon. She is a three-time listed stakes winner and will break from post 2 under Javier Castellano.

The speedy Noble Freud, second in the Bouwerie for New York-breds, and Too Much Tip, who is 6 for 8, complete the lineup.

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KEY CONTENDERS

American Gal, by Concord Point

Last 3 Beyers: 83-72-84

◗ Cuts back to a sprint distance for her first start in 211 days and her first for a new trainer.

“This race was always on our radar,” Callaghan said from California. “The races back here are all against older horses, and 6 1/2 is a perfect distance to start her back.”

Vertical Oak, by Giant Oak

Last 3 Beyers: 90-94-76

◗ Won sprint stakes at Prairie Meadows and Pimlico before having a gate issue in the Jersey Girl and being pulled up two jumps out of the gate by Jose Ortiz.

◗ Goes from the rail to post 5.

“She drew extremely well for her,” Asmussen said. “Obviously, we’re hoping to avoid a similar situation as last time.”

Golden Mischief, by Into Mischief

Last 3 Beyers: 78-81-79

◗ She was wide and had no pace to close into when second in the Jersey Girl.

“The 23-and-change first quarter jeopardized her last time,” Asmussen said.

◗ Should get a faster pace this time with American Gal and Noble Freud in the field.