Just Talkin Turns Heads in Gulfstream Debut

Just Talkin, a full sister to multiple-stakes winner Lady Shipman, made an impressive debut Sunday at Gulfstream Park, closing with a rush to capture the third-race, a 7 ½-length maiden special weight race on turf.

Favored at 2-1 in a field of 10 3-year-old fillies, Just Talkin settled in eighth along the front stretch and into the first turn under Javier Castellano before advancing along the backstretch and on the far turn. After splitting horses leaving the turn into the stretch, the daughter of Midshipman launched a wide stretch drive to prevail over that Kitten by a neck.

“I really liked the way she did it today. Not many young horses do what she did today. She went through a tiny hole to split horses. She’s very educated. She didn’t break too sharp. In the first turn she was a little scared by all the horses, but she figured it out quick. At the three-eighths pole, quarter pole, she split horses. She’s very much a mature horse. I like her very much and she’s going to move forward.”

Just Talkin ran 7 ½ furlongs on turf in 1:29.94.

Owned by Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables and Gary Aisquith. Just Talkin was privately purchased from breeder Randall Lowe, who also bred and owns 4-year-old Lady Shipman, who is currently being prepared to run against the boys in the $1 million Al Quoz (G1) at about five furlongs on turf on the Dubai World Cup card at Meydan March 26.

Kathleen O’Connell saddled Lady Shipman for a troubled second-place finish against males in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at Keeneland. In preparation for her trip to Dubai, Lady Shipman was transferred to Kiaran McLaughlin, who saddled her for victory in the Gulfstream Park Ladies Turf Sprint Feb. 6.