Disco Barbie turns tables on Cactus Kris in Satin and Lace

A year ago in this same stakes, Cactus Kris won a photo by a head over Disco Barbie. In Sunday night’s rematch between the two mares, Disco Barbie turned the tables when she rallied along the inside to narrowly defeat even- money favorite Cactus Kris in the $100,000 Satin and Lace Stakes at Presque Isle Downs.

It was the fifth win in eight lifetime starts on the Tapeta at Presque Isle for Disco Barbie ($7.20). In addition to her runner-up finish in last year’s Satin and Lace, she was also second, beaten just a half-length, in the 2014 running of the Grade 2 Presque Isle Masters.

In Sunday’s 5 1/2-furlong sprint, both Disco Barbie, ridden by Antonio Gallardo, and Cactus Kris, with Huber Villa-Gomez aboard, were well back of the early fractions of 22.12 and 44.88 seconds contested by 21-1 longshot Granny’s Drink and 56-1 outsider Once More for Love. Granny's Drink, under Taylor Rice, still held a one-length lead at the stretch call. Disco Barbie came flying along the inside to be second, a half-length in front of Cactus Kris, who made a big run down the center of the track. In the two-horse battle to the wire, Disco Barbie prevailed by a neck in 1:03.14. Kentucky shipper Late Spring, making her first start on a synthetic surface, finished third at 10-1, a head in front of Granny's Drink.

“I could see I had a hole,” said Gallardo, who saved ground throughout and also rode Disco Barbie to an easy victory in the local prep for the Satin and Lace on May 30. “I know that when you ask her, she gives everything she has. I had the trip today.”

Based in Maryland with trainer Dale Capuano, Disco Barbie, a 6-year-old daughter of Pure Prize, is now 7 for 23 lifetime with earnings of $441,536.