Gamine Blows Field Away Upon Debut

Michael Lund Petersen proved his $1.8 million spent for 3-year-old Gamine was well worth the price when the filly obliterated her competition March 7 on debut at Santa Anita Park.

Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, the daughter of Into Mischief  broke sharply in the 6 1/2-furlong maiden race and sprinted clear of the field. 

Setting the pace just off the rail, Gamine clicked off fast fractions of :22.42 and :46.17 for the half-mile while slowly increasing her lead. The other three runners tried their best to catch the leader, but the effort was futile. Gamine crossed the wire 6 1/4 lengths in front and completed the test in 1:16.59 on a fast track.

The filly picked up $33,000 in earnings. 

"I always get nervous when I have a first timer and I know I have a superstar in the making," Baffert said. "Sometimes they work great and in the afternoons they just don't show up. She is a little behind. I would have liked to have gotten a race in her like a week ago. They wouldn't fill. One thing about her, she's extremely fit and had a lot of works. … She's pretty ready. It's nice to have her in a groove."

Gamine was purchased from Bobby Dodd's consignment to the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Her price was a record for the Maryland auction held after Preakness Stakes (G1) weekend. Gamine impressed from the start during the under tack show when she breezed an eighth-mile in :10 flat. 

"When something good shows up, I solely rely on Bob," Petersen said at the time of sale. "If he thinks it's a good purchase and it's my turn, I'm going to buy them." 

"I'm glad she's run well, because (Michael) wants some action. He had some luck with Mor Spirit and I talked him into selling Mucho Gusto. He said, 'Why'd you talk me into selling that horse? I want action!' But you know, he's not going to sell this filly."

Bred in Kentucky by Grace Thoroughbred Holdings, Gamine is out of the Kafwain mare Peggy Jane and traces to Canadian champion turf horse Dynamic Sky. Loosely translated, Gamine is a colloquial French word for “little girl.”