Gallorette: Ocean Drive holds off Film Maker

Ocean Drive got a well-calculated ride from Jerry Bailey and outlasted Film Maker to win the $100,000 , the first of eight stakes Saturday at Pimlico.

Ocean Drive, owned by Sy and Bonnie Baskin and trained by Todd Pletcher, returned $4.20 as the favorite in a field of eight filly-mare turf runners. After stalking the pace from a favorable inside position, Ocean Drive moved boldly to take a three-length lead in midstretch, then was hard-ridden to hold safe a torrid late run from Film Maker, the 2-1 second choice.

With Patience finished another 3 1/2 lengths back in third, followed by Caught in the Rain.

"We wanted to stay close up, and we were able to," Bailey said.

Ocean Drive, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred by Belong to Me, snapped a seven-race losing streak with her triumph in the Grade 3 Gallorette. She finished 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.85 over a very firm turf course.

In her previous start, Ocean Drive had finished second in the Jenny Wiley at Keeneland.

"The filly ran the race of her life last time out, but luck was not on her side," said Pletcher assistant Tristan Barry. "She stepped up again today with a really super effort."