Gambles Ghost overcomes tough trip to win Mazarine

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The brilliant Gamble’s Ghost overcame a troubled trip under Luis Contreras to notch her first stakes Sunday at Woodbine in the Grade 3, $179,100 Mazarine.

Gamble’s Ghost ($2.90) was bottled up in traffic at the back of the six-horse field throughout much of the 1 1/16-mile test for 2-year-old fillies. A confident Contreras found a seam between rivals inside the eighth pole, and Gamble’s Ghost accelerated nicely before going on to prevail by three-quarters of a length over Swoop and Strike.

Garavogue Colleen finished third. She was followed by pacemaker Audacious Bear, Conquest Soprano, and Allwehaveisnow.

Gamble’s Ghost earned $108,000 for owner Ivan Dalos and trainer Josie Carroll.

“We had some anxious moments today,” said Carroll. “Luis might have been pretty confident, but when I saw her trapped in there, I was pretty concerned. But she is a very brave filly. She went through [the hole], pricked her ears, and had fun.”