Gamble's Ghost by a head in Belle Mahone Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The stretch-running Gamble’s Ghost gave her many backers a scare in Sunday’s $112,000 Belle Mahone Stakes at Woodbine, overcoming a slow pace to win the race for the second year in a row.

My Arch Enemy led the way in the 1 1/16-mile route, with Babybluesdancing pressing her on the backstretch as Gamble’s Ghost trailed in seventh. Gamble’s Ghost began to mount a wide rally on the far turn, and she caught My Arch Enemy and Mexican Hat in the final strides to prevail by a head over the former. Mexican Hat was another neck back in third.

With Eurico Da Silva riding for trainer Josie Carroll, Gamble’s Ghost covered the distance in 1:44.51.

“I was pretty sure we would get there,” Da Silva said. “I needed to make a decision at the three-eighths. I lost a lot of ground because I was way outside but had no choice. I was looking to sneak inside, but there was no room to go through there. I took her outside. That’s where she likes to be. When we turned for home, I thought it was over. [My Arch Enemy] fought because she [benefited] from a soft pace.”

Gamble’s Ghost ($3.70) has foothold on this year’s Sovereign Award for Canadian champion older female. The 5-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper banked $72,000 for owner and breeder Ivan Dalos.