Flakes holds off Charlie's Wish in Game Face
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Flakes took readily to a wet track and benefited from a perfectly orchestrated trip by regular rider Edgard Zayas to register a hard-fought neck decision over the 8-5 favorite Charlie’s Wish in Saturday’s $75,000 Game Face Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Gulfstream Park.
Flakes, turning back in distance off a series of longer races, rated within easy striking distance of a lively pace set by Queen Karima and forced in the run down the backstretch by It Takes Heart. Flakes easily rallied past the embattled leaders while kept well out in the middle of the wet track turning for home, quickly edged clear, then repulsed a late bid from Charlie’s Wish under strong handling from Zayas, who has been aboard Flakes in all six career starts.
Charlie’s Wish, also shortening up in distance after finishing second in a 1 1/16-mile allowance race last month at Churchill Downs, raced just behind the ultimate winner through the early going. She fell several lengths behind Flakes leaving the turn, came widest for the drive, surged to close contention near midstretch, only to hang a bit in the end.
Pachuca, last in the early going, rallied past tiring rivals to finish third while never menacing the top pair.
Flakes, who finished third after setting the pace for over six furlongs in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks in the only two-turn outing of her career, is a 3-year-old daughter of Frosted owned by the BC Racing LLC of Brian Cohen and trained by Juan Alvarado. She completed 6 1/2 furlongs over a track officially listed as sealed and muddy in 1:17.26 seconds and paid $5.80 as the solid second choice in the wagering behind Charlie’s Wish.
“We always thought seven-eighths would be her best distance, but she was training well, and we just figured we’d try [the Gulfstream Park Oaks],” Cohen said. “I think 6 1/2 or seven furlongs, especially if she gets an outside post so she can stalk the pace, is nice for her.”
Like Flakes, Talkin Tipsy also took advantage of a hot pace scenario, rallying to a 2 1/4-length decision over Moor Strength in the afternoon’s $60,000 co-feature decided at 5 1/2 furlongs over the Tapeta strip.
Talkin Tipsy, third against similar opposition on the turf in her previous start, was ridden to victory by Edgar Perez for trainer James Gulick and returned $14.40.
Choose Joy, the tepid 2-1 favorite making only her second career start on a synthetic track, got caught up in a four-horse duel for the lead and labored badly through the final furlong, finishing sixth of seven older fillies and mares.
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