Ol' Fashion Gal by a neck in Jimmy Durante Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – With racing experience, Ol’ Fashion Gal has become a cool-minded filly.

“In her first race, she was a nervous wreck,” trainer Mark Casse said.

Ol’ Fashion Gal was 10th in her debut at Santa Anita in September. She has not lost since.

Ol’ Fashion Gal won a maiden race on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 13 and won her stakes debut in Saturday’s $151,500 Jimmy Durante Stakes for 2-year-old fillies over a mile on turf. Ol’ Fashion Gal won the Grade 3 Durante Stakes largely because of a ground-saving trip from jockey Joe Talamo. Turning into the stretch, Ol’ Fashion Gal rallied between rivals while 7-5 favorite Rainha Da Bateria rallied four wide.

The margin between them at the finish was a neck.

“She had the perfect trip,” Casse said. “She has the ability to settle.”

Ol’ Fashion Gal ($45.60) was timed in 1:37.27. Rainha Da Bateria finished three-quarters of a length in front of 14-1 Don’t Blame Me, who was followed by Jaded Glory, Conquest Artura, Belle Et Bete, Bobbi Grace, Devil’s Beauty, Backstreet Lisa, Paulina’s Love, and Bennett Jean.

Bobbi Grace, third in the Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 5, had a rough trip, racing in traffic in the final furlong. She finished 3 1/4 lengths behind Ol’ Fashion Gal.

Rainha Da Bateria won the Grade 3 Jessamine Stakes at Keeneland in October but was ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 31. Jockey Mike Smith said after the Durante that he wished he’d had Tamalo’s trip on Ol Fashion Gal.

“I had to come around, and he was able to split them, and that was the difference,” Smith said. “I was hoping to outkick him. The difference in the ground we lost was the difference in the outcome.”

Ol’ Fashion Gal, by Sky Mesa, races for Bill and Vicki Poston and has earned $123,850. Casse said Ol’ Fashion Gal will remain on turf this winter.

As for her improved behavior, Casse said there was a simple solution. “We schooled her every day,” he said.