Gamine Repels Speech at Oaklawn to Improve to 2-for-2

After winning her debut on talent, $1.8 million purchase Gamine demonstrated another strength—determination—to win Oaklawn Park's seventh race May 2, a $61,000 first-level allowance.

With Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3) runner-up Speech bearing down on her, frontrunning Gamine found enough to turn back that rival by a neck. It wasn't easy, and she made those who backed her to 3-5 favoritism sweat, but she ultimately hit the wire in front, just as the public expected.

It seemed as though she was in her own race early. Making just her second start and first route, Gamine broke sharply under Martin Garcia and relatively easily forged to the front, setting splits of :23.29, :46.54, and 1:10.62, sometimes pricking her ears, an indication she was traveling comfortably. But the final five-sixteenths of the 1 1/16-mile race proved a more challenging test.

The more seasoned Speech, who stalked the pace in fourth until the second turn, was on the move. Under urging from jockey Javier Castelllano, Speech, a California shipper like Gamine, advanced into second entering the stretch, and a match race unfolded from there.

Speech continued to cut into Gamine's lead, but just when it appeared she was ready to inch past the frontrunner, Gamine found a little more energy to last. Both 3-year-old fillies were asked for their best, with Gamine ($3.20) finishing in 1:41.91 on a fast track.

There was a gap of 6 1/2 lengths back to third-place finisher Queen Bridget.

Gamine's swift time was faster than the 1:42 clocking from Swiss Skydiver in the Fantasy Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies Friday at Oaklawn and quicker than a 1:42.39 time from the stakes-placed older horse Endorsed in an allowance a couple of races earlier on the Saturday card.

The two-turn victory was an important one for Gamine, whom Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert regards as a prospect for the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1), a 1 1/8-mile race at Churchill Downs that has been delayed until Sept. 4 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last month, Gamine won a 6 1/2-furlong maiden race at Santa Anita Park. Her earnings now stand at $69,600.

The daughter of Into Mischief  is owned by Michael Lund Petersen, whose agent, Donato Lanni, purchased her from Bobby Dodd's consignment at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Her purchase price was a record for the Maryland auction. 

Into Mischief stands at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky for $175,000.

Bred in Kentucky by Grace Thoroughbred Holdings, Gamine is the first multiple winner from her stakes-placed dam, the Kafwain mare Peggy Jane. The dam's only other winner, Princess Peggy (by Scat Daddy), is 1-for-6 with earnings of $61,500.