Gulfstream: Frolic's Revenge connects at 16-1 in Ginger Brew

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Frolic’s Revenge was the only member in the starting lineup for Saturday’s $60,000 Ginger Brew Stakes at Gulfstream Park with Grade 1 experience, having competed in both the Alcibiades and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Yet she still went off at generous odds of 16-1 in the overnight turf stakes for 2-year-old fillies.

Despite being considered an outsider by the bettors, Frolic’s Revenge was able to parlay a perfect trip into a neck decision over another longshot, the 25-1 Ready Signal, to win the Ginger Brew in her turf debut.

Frolic’s Revenge, a homebred daughter of Vindication owned by trainer Milt Wolfson’s Stride Rite Racing Stable, broke in stride and was hustled early by jockey Paco Lopez to chase the pacesetting Ready Signal into the clubhouse turn. The pair then proceeded to dominate the race the remainder of the way, Frolic’s Revenge ultimately overtaking Ready Signal nearing the eighth pole before digging in resolutely to outlast that rival to the wire.

Ann of the Dance, who stumbled when appearing to clip the heels of Sisterhood nearing the far turn, recovered to finish best of all, getting within a half-length of the runner-up at the wire.

Karlory Vary, the tepid 5-2 favorite in a full field of 12 2-year-old fillies, steadied early then failed to seriously menace while racing wide throughout.

Frolic’s Revenge complete 1 1/16 miles over a firm course in 1:42.84 and paid $34.20.

“I couldn’t believe she was that big a price. If you looked at all her figures she was right on par with the others,” said Wolfson. “The only thing was that she’d never been on grass. She got hung out in the middle of the track in the Breeders’ Cup but she has speed and I told Paco to put her right in the race.”

Wolfson said Frolic’s Revenge could make her next start in the Sweetest Chant on Jan. 22.

“The next one for 3-year-old fillies is on the grass too but it’s nice to know she can go either way,” said Wolfson. “That gives us a lot of options.”