Galloping Gal in fine spot

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Although Galloping Gal ran very well to finish second in the Alcibiades Stakes, trainer Ken McPeek has seen enough of the elite of the 2-year-old filly division - at least for now.

"No Breeders' Cup," said McPeek, who trains Galloping Gal for Bill Carl. "There'll be plenty of time for that kind of stuff down the road."

That discretion seems the better part of valor, if for no other reason than Galloping Gal would have been a big longshot in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on Saturday. Moreover, the filly would not have been able to run Thursday in a race that seems to suit her much better: the $100,000 Jessamine County Stakes at Keeneland.

The Jessamine County is a 1 1/16-mile turf race, and Galloping Gal's victories in the first two starts of her career came in middle-distance races on turf. A daughter of Victory Gallop, she won her August debut at Saratoga, then followed with a minor stakes victory at Kentucky Downs in September. Her Alcibiades second came behind Breeders' Cup-bound Be Gentle on the Oct. 3 opening-day card at Keeneland.

Those credentials should make Galloping Gal the one to beat in the Jessamine County, which drew an overflow of 2-year-old fillies. While Galloping Gal has raced three times, a filly with easily the most racing experience in the field could prove to be her strongest rival: America America, who already has run 13 times.

America America, owned by Cameron Express Inc. and trained by Frank Mourier, has the benefit of a race over the Keeneland turf course, having captured an entry-level allowance earlier at the meet. Robby Albarado, who once again is having an excellent meet, will be back aboard America America, a Mister Baileys filly.

The wild card of the group is Angisse, an English-bred filly who raced twice in France before being imported by WinStar Farm. Elliott Walden is the new trainer of Angisse, who will be making her first start around two turns.

In all, 12 fillies were entered in the Jessamine County, although only 10 will be permitted to start.

The Jessamine County is one of four new stakes at the fall meet that honor counties adjacent to Fayette County, the county in which Keeneland is located. The last of those four, the Bourbon County, is a 1 1/16-mile turf race for 2-year-old colts and geldings on Friday.

The Keeneland meet ends Saturday with the Grade 3 Fayette Stakes.