Gingham closes from last to win Angels Flight Stakes

Gingham ($5.40) was a slight favorite over 9-5 Been Studying Her in Saturday’s $83,500 Angels Flight Stakes at Santa Anita. There was not much between them when they finished in that order in the sprint for 3-year-old fillies.

Gingham, ridden by Mike Smith, closed from last in a field of five to catch stretch leader Been Studying Her and win by a length. Gingham finished 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.21 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 85.

Been Studying Her, ridden by Flavien Prat, rallied four wide to take the lead in the stretch. Smith had Gingham on the rail entering the stretch, and moved his mount to the outside with more than a furlong remaining for a clear run at the leader.

Biddy Duke, a 7-1 chance who set the pace of 22.53 seconds for the opening quarter-mile, faded through the stretch to finish third, and was followed by High On Gin and Praise and Honor in the small field.

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Gingham, by Quality Road, races for Sarah Kelly and Jane Wiltz and is trained by Bob Baffert. Gingham won her first stakes in the Angels Flight in her fourth appearance in a race at that level of competition.

Earlier this year, Gingham was second, beaten 9 1/2 lengths by Venetian Harbor, in the Grade 2 Las Virgenes Stakes at a mile at Santa Anita on Feb. 9, and fifth of nine in the Gardenia Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn Park on May 1.

The Angels Flight was the shortest race of Gingham’s career.

“I think this is what she wants,” Smith said.

By Quality Road, Gingham has won 3 of 9 starts and earned $202,200. She was purchased for $420,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September yearling sale.