Gypsy Robin Rips Rivals in Raven Run
King 9 Stables, Gatewood Bell, Bret Jones and trainer Wesley Ward’s Gypsy Robin ran 12 rivals into the ground as she posted a front-running four-length triumph over Sacristy to win the 14th running of the $250,000 Lexus Raven Run (G2) for 3-year-old fillies before a Saturday afternoon crowd of 25,287 at Keeneland.
In becoming the first filly to win the Beaumont (G2) in the spring and Lexus Raven Run in the fall, Gypsy Robin improved her margin of victory over Sacristy, whom she defeated by three lengths in the Beaumont in April.
Ridden by John Velazquez, who won this race in 2008 on Informed Decision, Gypsy Robin led the field through early fractions of :22.17 and :45.30 while not being challenged. In the stretch, Gypsy Robin drew away to complete the seven furlongs on the main track in 1:21.79.
A Kentucky-bred daughter of Daaher out of the Indian Charlie mare Feisty Princess, Gypsy Robin kept her record perfect in four starts on all-weather surfaces and boosted her overall record to 9-5-1-0 with earnings of $498,000. Saturday’s victory was worth $150,000 to the winner, a graduate of the 2010 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Sent off as the favorite, Gypsy Robin returned $4.40, $3.20 and $2.80. Sacristy, ridden by Miguel Mena, returned $9.40 and $6.20 in finishing a half-length in front of Drama Drama, who paid $7.80 to show under Jon Court.
It was 4½ lengths back to Assateague, who was followed in order by Anna Sophia, Mercy Lou, Killer Graces, Yankee Union, Lotta Lovin and Monono. La Tia and Via Villaggio finished in a dead heat for 11th with Sweet Cat finishing last.