Gulfstream: Inspired proves uncatchable in Ladies Turf

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Inspired used her abundant speed to run her nine rivals off their feet to register her second straight stakes victory, a one-length decision over Classy Zip in Sunday’s $70,000 Ladies Turf Sprint at Gulfstream Park.

Inspired opened a long lead then held a safe 1 1/2-length advantage to capture the Pan Zareta at Fair Grounds in her 2012 debut and used similar tactics to win the five-furlong Ladies Turf. Inspired needed more than an eighth of a mile before clearing off from Honey Chile approaching the turn but was never seriously menaced once shaking free on the lead. Classy Zip rallied mildly up the fence to finish second, a half-length in front of Honey Chile, who held on well to the end.

Broken Dreams, making her first start since the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, saved ground but failed to menace, finishing sixth as the tepid 3-1 favorite.

Inspired, a 5-year-old daughter of Unbridled’s Song, is trained by Allen Iwinski for owner-breeder Peter Blum. She was ridden to victory, as she was in the Pan Zareta, by John Velazquez and paid $10.80.

“We tried to do some different things with her in past races, tried to rate her or get her to go further,” said Iwinski. “But it just wasn’t her. After riding her here for the first time earlier in the meet, Johnny said we should just let her go run her own race. She’s not real fast out of the gate. It takes her about a half dozen strides to get rolling, but when she does she really rolls. She’s just a much better filly when you let her do her thing.”