Gamine proves untouchable in BC Filly & Mare Sprint
Gamine returned to one turn in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint and put forth the dominant record-setting performance that fans were accustomed to prior to her third-place Kentucky Oaks finish around two turns last out.
She pulled away to win by 6 1/4 lengths, setting a track record of 1:20.20 for the seven furlongs.
The even-money favorite, Gamine broke well and tried to challenge Serengeti Empress for the lead early on. Jockey John Velazquez wisely backed Gamine off of an early speed duel and tracked Serengeti Empress through an early quarter of 21.77 and an early half of 44.27.
The early fractions were swift, but well within Serengeti Empress' capabilities. Gamine rated comfortably in second and exploded with a huge kick turning for home and drew off when Velazquez asked her to go.
Owned by Michael Lund Petersen, she paid to $4.20 win.
“That’s the baddest (girl) in the land right there, trainer Bob Baffert said after the race. "I knew (Serengeti Empress) was going to go and I told Johnny if you get separation to get to the outside. She is doing as well as she did when she won the Acorn. She is just brilliant. She is the fastest filly going one turn I’ve ever trained. I wanted it bad for her. What she’s gone through. She deserved it. Of all my races, this meant the most to me.”
The game Serengeti Empress kept Sconsin, who was coming up the rail, and Bell's the One, who was flying on the outside, at bay to finish 2nd by a nose. Bell's the One edged Sconsin by a 1/2 length for third.
This was the 16th Breeders' Cup win for Bob Baffert and the 17th victory for John Velazquez. Both rank second all-time in their respective categories.
Gamine, the 3-year-old daughter of Into Mischief, crossed the wire first for the fifth time in six starts. She was brilliant in romping wins in the Acorn and Test, but was disqualified from her win at Oaklawn Park on May 2nd for a failed drug test. She was also flagged for a positive in the Kentucky Oaks, leaving her as one of the racing's most talented but polarizing horses.