Pippa Bou Peep leaves maiden ranks in Barbara Shinpoch Stakes

Although still a maiden, Pippa Bou Peep used her experience from four previous starts, edging odds-on favorite Seeking the Light by a head after a stirring stretch duel in the $49,500 Barbara Shinpoch Stakes at Emerald Downs on Sunday.

Pippa Bou Peep ($6.60) was the most accomplished runner in the field. Two of her losses came to talented Ethan’s Baby, currently sidelined with a shin problem, including a runner-up effort in the Angie CB in her last start.

In that race, Seeking the Light, an impressive winner in her debut, was the second choice to Ethan’s Baby in the Angie CB. She broke slowly from the rail and was never a factor despite finishing third in a troubled trip.

Roles were reversed in the Shinpoch as Pippa Bou Peep, a Washington-bred daughter of Harbor the Bold, got away slowly from the rail, while Seeking the Light was bounding to the lead as Jazz Queen pressed from the inside.

Eliska Kubinova did not rush Pippa Bou Peep after the slow break but moved up steadily around the turn while in the three-path.

Pippa Bou Peep edged within one-half length at the top of the lane, and she and Seeking the Light engaged in a head-and-head battle the final eighth of a mile in the 6 1/2-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies.

Seeking the Light dug in gamely, and it wasn’t until the final strides that Pippa Bou Peep stuck her nose in front before winning by the head.

“I had a perfect trip,” said Kubinova after her first stakes win at Emerald Downs, where she has 179 career victories. “This horse is rally professional, and she did everything I asked of her. I wasn’t 100 percent sure I was going to get there, but once I got next to the other horse, I was sure.”

Leslie Mawing said Seeking the Light ran well and responded to pressure.

“The filly has talent but still hasn’t quite put it all together,” Mawing said.

Owned by trainer Charles Essex and Dave and the Little Lady Stable, Pippa Bou Peep earned $27,225 to increase her career earnings to $45,357 with a win, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds in 5 starts.