Gamay Noir goes from last to first in Obeah

Gamay Noir established herself as a solid contender for next month’s Delaware Handicap with a last-to-first move in Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Obeah Stakes for fillies and mares.

The lone graded stakes winner in a field of eight older females, Gamay Noir ($9.20) managed to rally from the back of the pack despite modest early fractions of 49.78 seconds and 1:13.67 set by Maryland shipper Daydreamin Gracie, the longest shot on the board at 35-1.

When Daydreamin Gracie began to back up, the 1 1/8-mile Obeah turned into a two-horse race turning for home between Montana Native, winner of last month’s Winter Melody locally, and Gamay Noir, who upset the Grade 3 Rampart at Gulfstream Park at 49-1 in late March.

Gamay Noir, a 4-year-old ridden for the first time by Daniel Centeno, made a six-wide move into contention and surged clear in deep stretch to prevail by a half-length. The winning time was 1:51.22.

"She broke good today, and got a perfect trip," Centeno said. "When I turned the corner, she really took off. She galloped out perfect.”

Montana Native held off a late charge by Ambusher to get second by a head. Zucchini Flower was fourth as the 2-1 favorite.

Florida-based trainer Marty Wolfson also won the 2010 running of the Obeah with Miss Singhsix.

Gamay Noir, a daughter of Harlan’s Holiday, is owned by Chasing Tail Stables. She has now won 5 of 17 starts and $301,866.

The Grade 1, $750,000 Delaware Handicap will be contested at 1 1/4 miles on July 12. The last horse to win both the Obeah and the Del Cap was Fleet Indian in 2006.