BALTIMORE – Fluffy Socks was the elder stateswoman of the small starting field for Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Gallorette Stakes for fillies and mares on the Pimlico turf, at age 6. Among her extensive experiences in a career that’s taken her from coast to coast? A win on yielding Pimlico turf, in the 2020 Selima Stakes.  Fluffy Socks was able to draw on that experience after the rain fell in Baltimore, overcoming the soft turf and a soft pace for a powerful 7 3/4-length victory in the Gallorette.  Fluffy Socks ($3.20), trained by Chad Brown for Head of Plains Partners, hadn’t won since taking the Grade 2 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile in May 2023 – although in the past year, she has come close in several graded stakes. Overall, the millionaire has now won five stakes and placed in another 12. :: Bet with the Best! Get FREE All-Access PPs and Weekly Cashback when you wager on DRF Bets. “She’s been a remarkably consistent horse her whole career,” said Brown, who won the Gallorette for a record-extending sixth time.  The Gallorette scratched from an original field of seven, plus two main-track-only entrants down to five, and the scratches included much of the projected speed, changing the scenario for late-running Fluffy Socks. And indeed, things looked bright for pacesetting Tequilera, getting away with an unpressured opening half-mile of 50.59 seconds, began to get some separation from the field on the far turn, through six furlongs in a torpid 1:16.81.  Fluffy Socks and Irad Ortiz Jr., fourth at the opening half, had worked their way to second after six furlongs. The mare simply proved too classy at that point, driving by Tequilera, quickly opening up two lengths, and powering clear as she pleased to her final margin. The final time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:49.79. Fluffy Socks was given a 95 Beyer Speed Figure. Five Towns, last entering the stretch, also came on well to be a clear second by 2 1/4 lengths over Tequilera. After the pacesetter, it was five lengths to Blissful, edging Ascendancy.  “I was proud of her,” Brown said. “And hopefully this is a race that can [move her forward].” As one of several partnerships 1/ST Racing has established with international racing entities, the Gallorette winner receives automatic entry into the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet in August in France, along with a travel stipend. But Brown indicated the mare is likely to stay closer to home, with a summer target of the Grade 1 Diana Stakes at Saratoga.  “We’d love to get her that Grade 1,” Brown said. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.