Galina Point wins two-turn debut in South Ocean

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Galina Point ($3.30) made her first start around two turns a winning one under Patrick Husbands in the $125,400 South Ocean Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday.

Galina Point vied with Del Cielo through slow fractions in the 1 1/16-mile event for Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies. Galina Point took control early in the stretch and then held off the closing 24-1 shot Take Back Ya Poils to prevail by three-quarters of a length in 1:47.35.

Reserve Love rallied belatedly on the outside to finish three lengths back in third. Just Coz was fourth in a field reduced to nine with the scratches of Shez a Masterpiece and Indiantown Sunrise.

Galina Point was exiting a second as the favorite in the Fanfreluche Stakes, which was her first race after being purchased privately by owner Gary Barber.

“We were very disappointed in her last race,” Husbands said. “She had a perfect trip, but when we swung for home and I set her down, she stopped running and started lugging. We came back and worked her, tried a different bit, and she went straight.”