Groupie Doll Does it Again!

Groupie Doll was absolutely devastating last year when capturing the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, drawing away to win by 4 ½ lengths for her 5th consecutive win.This year the story was different, but the result was the same. In a field of 12 high class sprinters, Groupie Doll demonstrated exactly what it takes to make a true champion at Santa Anita in the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

 

Breaking from post 11 Groupie Doll came out fast and sat 4^th behind a blistering pace set by Sweet Lulu with Teddy’s Promise and Judy the Beauty in third. The opening quarter went in :22.19 with the half in :44.19. As they rounded the far turn Teddy’s Promise took over briefly but Groupie Doll and jockey Rajiv Maragh loomed up on the outside and quickly seized control, leading the pack into the homestretch with a one length lead. As the champion forged to the front Judy the Beauty was switched to the outside and began to close with a vengeance as Dance Card came rushing from the back. With the crowd on its feet Groupie Doll came under frantic urging by Maragh, but with each and every stride Judy the Beauty ate into her lead. With her legacy hanging in the balance Groupie Doll surged under the wire with just ½ a length to spare, the undeniable best, her champion’s heart on full display.

               

Judy the Beauty was gallant in defeat and loses nothing with this runner-up effort. She defeated Groupie Doll in their last start by 1 ¾ lengths, but today was all Groupie Doll. She’s had a rougher year than expected, finishing third in the Gardenia Stakes (gr.3) in her 2013 debut in August, but after setting a track record in the Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (Gr.2) everyone seemed to think the old Groupie Doll had returned. Her seemingly easy defeat at the hands of Judy the Beauty in the Thoroughbred Club Of America Stakes (Gr. 2) one month later again threw that noting into doubt. When it counted most Groupie Doll showed up. The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint is her last race before being sold this year at auction, but I think the champ made sure she went out with a pretty resounding bang.