Go Maggie Go gets Romans his Second Black-Eyed Susan
For trainer Dale Romans good things have happened in the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) in twos. When Go Maggie Go crossed the Pimlico finish line 2 ½ lengths in front, it gave Romans his second victory in a row in this race having won last year with Keen Pauline. Romans also got the top two places when his 50-1 long shot Ma Can Do It finished second.
With the victory in the 92nd running of the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan, Romans became the first trainer to win back to back runnings of this nine furlong race since the legendary Hall of Famer Max Hirsch did it in 1947 and 1948.
As the race began it was expected that jockey John Velazquez would hustle Kinsley Kisses out of the gate to set the pace. What was unexpected was that Go Maggie Go would get into a battle on the front end with Kinsley Kisses.
In her previous three starts, including wins in her first two starts, Go Maggie Go ran to victory from a staking position. In the Kentucky Oaks this daughter of Ghostzapper had a troubled trip when she was steadied and then raced very wide to finish fourth.
Today regular jockey Luis Saez, who sensed a slow pace, had an eager horse, and decided to contest Kinsley Kisses. “When we came to the first turn,” said Saez. “I was right there and I had to let her run.”
So, the two sophomore fillies would run head to head for the first mile of the race with Go Maggie Go on the rail and Kinsley Kisses right on her flank. They were not running that fast on a Pimlico track that was not unkind to horses on or near the lead. The fractions were 23.49, 48.83, 1:13.54, and 1:38.58 for the mile.
As the horses turned for home it was the Romans trainee who took over the race and began to draw away. Down the stretch Go Maggie Go had opened up a two-length lead and was tiring and drifting out noticeably. Saez straightened her out and she crossed the line in a final time of 1:51.81.
After the race Romans said, “She did look good. She went straight to the lead and she won. She just took it to them and won the race. She was pressed by a quality filly and just maintained her position all the way and looked beautiful.”
“I think she is one of the best fillies that I have ever had,” the jubilant Romans added. “She’s just really special. She has done things that most fillies can’t do. She comes back in less than three weeks to win a grade two [Gulfstream Park Oaks] off her first start. Comes back in her third of her life and runs a huge race in the Oaks and then turns around in two weeks and wins this race. I don’t know where the top is with her.”
First run in 1919 as the Pimilico Oaks and then in 1952 as the Black-Eyed Susan, the race has produced 10 Champion Three-Year-old Fillies including Davona Dale 1979, Serena’s Song 1995, Silverbulletday 1999, and most recently in 2011 by Royal Delta. With the top sophomore fillies like Songbird, Cathryn Sophia, and Carina Mia, skipping the race, Go Maggie Go will have her work cut out for her if she is to become the eleventh Eclipse Award winner from this race.
For the victory Go Maggie Go paid $5.60, $3.60, $3.00 as the second betting choice behind Land Over Sea. The Romans trained exacta paid $202.20. The owner and breeder Mike Tarp took home $150,000 for the win and Go Maggie Go upped her career record to 4: 3-0-0 and her earnings went to $371,400. Kinsley Kisses hung on for third in just the fourth start of her career.