Charlie Em ends skid in Possibly Perfect Handicap

ARCADIA, Calif. – Charlie Em ended a 10-race losing streak in dramatic fashion in Thursday’s $78,550 Possibly Perfect Handicap, closing from fourth to catch 3-5 Customer Base in the final strides of the turf marathon for females.

Charlie Em ($11.40), ridden by Martin Garcia, won by a head, finishing 1 1/2 miles on turf in 2:29.23.

Customer Base led by a length on the turn and through much of the stretch, but could not sustain the advantage. Her loss surprised jockey Mike Smith. Customer Base was fifth early and took the lead at the end of the backstretch.

“I went the same pace,” Smith said. “I didn’t think she would get beat. I guess I could have grabbed her, but who grabs at the half-mile pole? Sometimes, you can’t get them going again.”

Customer Base finished 4 1/2 lengths clear of Perfecta. Changethechannel was fourth, followed by Playful Humor and Phonybooksnrecords in the field of six.

Charlie Em, a 4-year-old British-bred filly by Kheleyf, races for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trainer Paddy Gallagher. The Possibly Perfect was her first start at 1 1/2 miles on turf. Charlie Em won the Grade 3 Senorita Stakes at Hollywood Park in May 2013 in her American debut. She later placed in two stakes in 2013, but ran in optional claimers in her three starts prior to Thursday.

“I wanted to try it and see if it worked out,” Gallagher said of Thursday’s race.

Charlie Em has won 5 of 20 starts and earned $174,978.