Gam's Mission catches Dalika in Mint Julep
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Gam’s Mission wore down front-running Dalika to post a 1 1/4-length victory Sunday in the 46th running of the Grade 3, $193,350 Mint Julep on the Churchill Downs turf.
Ridden by Adam Beschizza, Gam’s Mission launched her winning bid with a looping run into the far turn of the 1 1/16-mile turf race, continuing along resolutely when finishing in 1:43.53 over firm going.
Cherie DeVaux is the trainer of Gam’s Mission, a 4-year-old Noble Mission filly bred and owned by the Lazy F Ranch of Forego fame.
“Adam did a great job letting her settle and improving his position,” DeVaux said. “I’m really pleased with her – she’s such an honest filly.”
Gam’s Mission returned $8.20 as second choice in a field of 10 fillies and mares. She was the first-ever graded winner for DeVaux when she won the Grade 3 Regret on the Churchill turf a little more than a year ago.
Dalika, making her first start of the year, led from the start under Ricardo Santana Jr., even out-footing Ambassador Luna, a turf sprinter who gave closest chase through the early stages as a 48-1 shot. Midway through the final turn, as Take Charge Ro and Keeper of Time began to draw near, Dalika edged away again, but she could not contain Gam’s Mission when settling for second, another 1 1/4 lengths before Take Charge Ro.
Petricor, the 5-2 favorite, was another neck back in fourth.
The $2 exacta (7-6) paid $51.20, the $1 trifecta (7-6-10) returned $391.50, and the 10-cent superfecta (7-6-10-1) was worth $231.03.
Lazy F was owned by Martha Gerry when Forego earned three straight Horse of the Year titles from 1974-76. Even after Gerry died in Sept. 2007, the farm has continued to breed and race Thoroughbreds on a smaller scale in the name of her daughter, Cornelia Gerry Corbett.
Two races earlier Sunday, Caddo River ($3.20) became a viable prospect for the July 2 Stephen Foster when posting a third straight allowance victory. Ridden by Santana for Shortleaf Stables and Brad Cox, the 4-year-old Hard Spun colt sped a mile in 1:33.52 over a fast main track.
After two dark days, live action resumes Wednesday as Churchill now will run five-day race weeks through the end of the meet, July 4.
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