Gypsy Blu going longer in Fran's Valentine Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Gypsy Blu was claimed for $20,000 on Jan. 25, the day she won an optional claimer for California-bred fillies and mares on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita.

The purchase has been a bargain for owners Philip Wood and Jim Hailey and trainer Mark Glatt, who have watched Gypsy Blu subsequently win twice, including the Irish O’Brien Stakes for statebred fillies and mares on the hillside turf course March 31.

Gypsy Blu, who has not started at beyond seven furlongs, will race around two turns for the first time in Sunday’s $100,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes for statebred fillies and mares at a mile on turf. Gypsy Blu, who will be ridden by Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Flavien Prat, will start from the outside post in a race Glatt said will be a test.

“There are such things as late-closing sprinters that don’t want two turns,” he said. “I don’t think you know for sure until you do it.

“She’s got a lot of natural air, and she doesn’t get tired. Those are some of the things you look for when stretching a horse out. You’ve got to try it.”

Glatt knows the competition well. He won the 2018 Fran’s Valentine with Cordiality, who drew the rail for Sunday. Cordiality makes her second start for owner Donnie Crevier and trainer Tim Yakteen. They claimed Cordiality for $62,500 from trainer Peter Miller on Feb. 18. Cordiality was claimed by Miller from Glatt for $62,500 in December.

“Cordiality is tough as nails,” Glatt said. “She’s hard-trying and usually comes with a good race. We were very successful with her.

“We wish them the best of luck, but we’ve got to try to beat her.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Gypsy Blu, by Papa Clem
Last 3 Beyers: 86-85-78

◗ A 5-year-old mare, Gypsy Blu has earned $83,670 in her two starts since being claimed. Unbeaten in four starts on turf, Gypsy Blu has won at distances ranging from five furlongs to about 6 1/2 furlongs on the surface. She has won 5 of 8 starts.

“When horses do get on the turf, they can get good,” Glatt said.

◗ In the Irish O’Brien, Gypsy Blu closed from ninth in a field of 11 to win by a half-length over S Y Sky, who won the fourth stakes of her career in the Camilla Urso Stakes at Golden Gate Fields on April 27.

Cordiality, by Papa Clem
Last 3 Beyers: 80-81-79

◗ Cordiality finished fifth in the Grade 2 Royal Heroine Stakes at a mile on turf April 6, her graded stakes debut.

“We ran in that previous race to prep for the Fran’s Valentine,” Yakteen said. “We were hoping to hit the board.”

◗ Cordiality drew the rail for Sunday, and Yakteen expects her to be prominent from the start.

“We’ve got speed,” he said. “We’ll jump away from there and get ourselves a good position on the lead or just off of it. We’ll be bouncing away. If they want to lead, they’ll have to run for it.”