Gamine gives Baffert record Grade 1 victory in Derby City Distaff
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It wasn’t the dominant victory we’ve become accustomed to with Gamine, but it was a victory nonetheless. Despite a bobble at the break and some immaturity throughout the race, Gamine scored a front-running, 1 1/2-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Derby City Distaff at Churchill Downs.
Sconsin, who loomed a menacing threat at the top of the lane, had to settle for second, one length ahead of Estilo Talentoso. Bell’s the One, last year’s Derby Distaff winner, was fourth, followed by Hibiscus Punch and Unique Factor.
The win gave trainer Bob Baffert his 220th Grade 1 victory, eclipsing the previous record held by D. Wayne Lukas. Four of those Grade 1 victories were accomplished by Gamine.
“I didn’t know I was that close til a month ago,” Baffert said. “They’re hard to get when you hear about them. To do it here is special, on a big day like this. I’m just happy for Gamine and [owner Michael Lund Petersen] that she got the job done.”
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Gamine, last year’s female sprint champion, bobbled at the break. She was able to attain the lead through a modest quarter in 23.15 seconds and a half-mile in 46.08 with Hibiscus Punch within a half-length. Gamine put that rival away at the head of the lane as Sconsin moved into contention. But Velazquez kept asking, and Gamine responded to get the win.
“Her back end disappeared right from the start, I tried to get her legs underneath her,” Velazquez said. “After that, she ran like she never saw the track before. Every footprint she saw, everything she saw she kind of slowed down. I said ‘Come on, pay attention, we don’t need to be schooling here.’ ”
Gamine, a daughter of Into Mischief, covered the seven furlongs in 1:21.50 and returned $2.40 to win. Gamine improved her record to 7 for 8 and increased her career earnings to $1,286,500. Five of her previous wins have come by five lengths or more.
Gamine was given a 99 Beyer Speed Figure.
At the quarter pole, Irad Ortiz Jr., aboard Sconsin, thought he had a chance to upset Gamine.
“I rode her loose, relaxed, by the quarter pole I start moving and she responded really well, I said ‘Man I got a good chance,’ ” Ortiz said. “But I just got beat.”
Baffert said he would leave Gamine in Kentucky while he and Petersen decide where to run her next. Baffert said the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar in November is the year-end goal.
