Defying Gravity captures her sixth straight victory Sunday

Defying Gravity overcame a slow pace to capture her sixth straight victory with a late rally in Sunday’s featured ninth race at Gulfstream Park.

The 5-year-old mare, who is owned by trainer Jose Pinchin and Kenneth Doyen, prevailed by a length in the $37,000 optional claiming allowance, running a mile on turf in 1:36.93.

“She’s just coming on late. She’s a well-bred filly. She won her second race. She had some issues, and she’s come back good,” said Pinchin, who has campaigned the daughter of Wildcat Heir throughout her 35-race career.

Cornelio Velasquez, who has been aboard for all six victories, rated Defying Gravity a few lengths off pacesetter Reagan’s Odyssey, who set pedestrian fractions of 25.51 (seconds), 49.57 and 1:12.93 during the first six furlongs. The pacesetter appeared to be getting away from the 4-5 favorite entering the stretch, but the Pinchin trainee was able to mount an extended drive to capture her sixth straight race and 11th victory overall.

“There was no pace. When the speed goes 49-and-change it makes it hard on a closer,” said Pinchin, who also trained undefeated juvenile Three Rules, who is scheduled to make a bid for a Florida Sire Stakes sweep in the $500,000 In Reality Oct. 1. “I was a little but worried, but when she got running, I felt a lot better.”

The stretch-running Defying Gravity began her winning streak in a $10,000 claiming event May 15 and has been victorious in three straight optional claiming allowances.

Source: Gulfstream Park