Gulfstream Park: My Pal Chrisy rallies to win Musical Romance Stakes
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – With four of the seven starters in Saturday’s $100,000 Musical Romance Stakes at Gulfstream Park, trainer Marty Wolfson felt pretty confident he would win the race. However, even Wolfson seemed a bit surprised that it was My Pal Chrisy – not Grade 1 winner Starship Truffles – who ended up in the winner’s circle after rallying to a two-length decision over Appealing Stella in the 6 1/2-furlong overnight stakes for fillies and mares.
My Pal Chrisy, who was purchased privately by owner Marvin Miller’s Miller Racing LLC earlier this summer, won for the second time in as many starts since being transferred into Wolfson’s barn. The 5-year-old daughter of Alex’s Pal cruised to an easy 6 3/4-length victory in the Paseana Stakes on Aug. 17.
With apprentice Jonathan Gonzales aboard, My Pal Chrisy lagged near the rear of the field as Wildcat Lily, the only 3-year-old in the race, and Starship Truffles battled for the early lead. My Pal Chrisy swung wide while commencing her rally into the stretch, finishing full of run down the center of the course to wear down Appealing Stella. The latter had moved to a short advantage near the furlong marker but proved no match for the winner.
Starship Truffles faded to third after prompting the early pace, while Wildcat Lily tired badly along the rail, finishing a well-beaten sixth in her first start since her second-place finish in the Grade 1 Test.
My Pal Chrisy paid $7.20
“I thought Starship [Truffles] would really beat this filly,” Wolfson said. “But this filly has just gotten so good since I bought her. I didn’t want Starship on the lead with that other horse [Wildcat Lily]. I didn’t want her to be head and head with her, but that’s the way it played out.”
Wolfson said he’s uncertain of his plans for either My Pal Chrisy or Starship Truffles, a Grade 1 winner earlier this summer at Calder.
“I’d like My Pal Chrisy to go onto the Breeders’ Cup, she’s got that style, but she’s not Breeders’ Cup eligible,” Wolfson said. “I absolutely think she’s a better sprinter than a two-turn horse. That’s why I bought her.”