Call Pat up in time in Groupie Doll

Call Pat came flying in the final furlong to catch 22-1 shot Fioretti in the shadow of the wire Saturday in an exciting 34th running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Groupie Doll Stakes, the annual showcase race at Ellis Park in western Kentucky.

Ridden by Joe Rocco Jr., Call Pat was still far back as Fioretti repelled all chasers when straightening for home in the one-mile Groupie Doll. With fewer than 100 yards to go, Fioretti and jockey Sophie Doyle seemed home free, but Call Pat nailed her just in time, winning by a half-length.

Call Pat, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred mare by Lawyer Ron, returned $9.60 as the second choice in a field of 12 fillies and mares after finishing in 1:35.14 over a fast track. Owned by Miller Racing Inc., she is based at Churchill Downs with trainer Brad Cox and now has won five of 25 career starts, with the Groupie Doll being her first stakes win.

“She ran a big race,” Cox said from Saratoga. “It was great for the owners for her to get some black type.”

Pistolpackinpenny, a 25-1 shot, was third, while Ambusher was fourth at 13-1. The two other favorites, Willow Hills (7-2) and Flashy American (4-1), both faded badly down the stretch.

The $2 exacta (1-11) paid $213.80, the $1 trifecta (1-11-7) returned $2,263.10, and the 10-cent superfecta (1-11-7-6) was worth $1,628.66.

The Groupie Doll, named for the two-time female sprint champion, had been known as the Gardenia Stakes until the name was changed this year.