Owned by Mike Pegram and John G. Sikura and trained by Bob Baffert, Irish Gypsy earned herself a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint Nov. 4 with her exciting victory in the Grade II A Gleam.
Additionally, her BC pre-entry and entry fees are waived and her connections will receive a $10,000 travel allowance.
The victory by the 5-year-old daughter of Harlan’s Holiday and the Relaunch mare Rayelle was her first in a graded event. She’s won three in a row and was second in her lone loss in 2011.
Part of the pace immediately under Garcia, Irish Gypsy was able to hold on over Ultra Blend, who finished well in the center of Cushion Track.
Now 6-for-14 lifetime, Irish Gypsy, who ran the seven furlongs in 1:22.44, pushed her bankroll to $359,420.
Dispatched at 5-1, Irish Gypsy, who was bred in Kentucky by Jerry and Ann Moss, paid $12, $5.60 and $3.60.
Seeking her third stakes win of the Spring/Summer meet and fifth victory in a row over Cushion Track, Ultra Blend returned $4.80 and $2.80 as the 7-2 choice. She finished 1 ¼ lengths in front of Tanda. The show price on Tanda was $2.80.
“She’s had some small issues, ankles and little things off and on,’’ said Mike Marlow, Baffert’s assistant trainer after the stable’s meet high eighth stakes victory. “But we’ve got her rolling now. She’s had some time to develop. She’s getting stronger as she gets older. She’s better now than she’s ever been. It was close. I thought it might be a dead heat.’’
Mildly Offensive, the lone 3-year-old in the A Gleam, was fourth, a nose in front of Washington Bridge and 2 ½ lengths behind Tanda. Completing the order of finish were Fund Raiser, Shotgun Gulch, Church Camp and American Story.