Flipcup Arrives in Time to Take Classy n' Smart

Team Penney Racing's Flipcup, with Alan Garcia up, arrived in the final stride to collar Obeah Woman in Sunday's $125,000 Classy n' Smart Stakes.

Trained by Bill Mott, the New York-bred daughter of Milwaukee Brew started her career at Woodbine in 2013 under the tutelage of trainer Brian Lynch winning her first two starts en route to a third-place run in the South Ocean Stakes.  Based in New York since 2014, Flipcup returned to Woodbine last August to finish second in the Eternal Search Stakes.

This time, however, Flipcup would not be denied a victorious homecoming as she rallied stoutly down the lane to earn a neck score.

Silent Treat set the tempo in the Classy n' Smart marking off splits of :24.83 and :49.96 under pressure from Ida Bambina and Clarkston Hope. Flipcup, settled in sixth position under Garcia, travelled wide into the far turn as Obeah Woman shot along the rail to take the lead from the pacesetters. Flipcup, game and determined, needed the length of the stretch to reel in the stubborn Obeah Woman for a narrow neck score.  She covered 1 1/16-miles in 1:44.38.

Garcia was pleased with his filly's tenacity in the stretch run.

"She was so comfortable. I know I lost a little ground in the second turn, but she got the job done," said Garcia. "The more I ride, the more she tried. She never gave up. The owner told me she has a good kick, just try and save some ground through the first turn and then come get it.  And she did.

"When she saw the horse inside her, she grabbed the bridle and ran on again at the end."

It was the third added-money score for Flipcup who captured the East View Stakes at Aqueduct in 2013 and the New York Oaks in 2014 at Finger Lakes.

Flipcup banked $75,000 in victory while improving her record to 5-4-5 from 16 career starts.

She paid $8.20, $5.10 and $4, combining with Obeah Woman ($6.70, $3.90) for a $50.60 (9-1) exactor. A 9-1-8 triactor (Kavika, $7 to show) was worth $542.20, while a $1 Superfecta [9-1-8-5 (Lynnessa)] came back $1740.25. London Tower was scratched.

Bull Page Stakes: Amis Gizmo shines a bright light for Dalos

Ivan Dalos' homebred Amis Gizmo remained undefeated with a professional performance in Sunday's co-featured $125,000 Bull Page Stakes, at Woodbine.

Trained by Josie Carroll, the chestnut son of Giant Gizmo-Galloping Ami arrived at the six furlong 'Poly' stake for Ontario-sired juveniles from a powerful closing effort in the 6 1/2-furlong Simcoe Stakes, reeling in Conquest Twister for a nose score.

Hampered in the Simcoe after being squeezed at the start, Amis Gizmo, with Luis Contreras again at the controls, broke sharply in the Bull Page and pressed the early speed of Vandal Stakes champ Ruth Less Blue through splits of :22.74 and :45.65.  Contreras asked Amis Gizmo for his best run late in the turn and the chestnut responded by opening up a 1 1/2-length advantage en route to a smart 3 1/2-length score.  Me More rallied to earn place by a 1/2-length over a game Ruth Less Blue.  Amis Gizmo covered six furlongs in 1:10.06.

Contreras was pleased with the effort of the undefeated Amis Gizmo.

"He's a very smart horse. He's learned quick, he's very fast and he's got a big heart. He will have no problem stretching out," said Contreras.

Amis Gizmo is out of Galloping Ami who has produced Martha Washington Stakes winner Aragorn Ami as well as the multiple graded stakes placed Ami's Flatter. Contreras guided Ami's Flatter to a second-place finish in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby in March.

"It's a really special family that Mr. Dalos has developed," said Carroll. "To have three stakes calibre horses out of this mare, I think that's pretty special."

Although both wins for the chestnut colt have come in sprints, Carroll believes Amis Gizmo has a big future around two turns.

"We were a little concerned about cutting back in distance," said Carroll. "Ultimately, I think further is going to be better but he was precocious enough that we felt comfortable here."

Amis Gizmo, bred in Ontario by his owner, banked $75,000 in victory and remains perfect through two starts.

He paid $3.40, $2.50 and $2.10, combining with Me More ($23.90, $9.50) for a $72.10 (2-8) exactor. A 2-8-4 triactor (Ruth Less Blue, $2.90 to show) was worth $189.20, while a $1 Superfecta [2-8-4-7 (Gazcader)] came back $577.10.

Source: Woodbine Communications Office