Groupie Doll Breezes at Belmont Park
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In her final breeze in preparation for the Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I) Nov. 30 at Aqueduct Racetrack, Groupie Doll completed four furlongs in :48.55 on the Belmont Park training track Nov. 25.
Reigning champion female sprinter Groupie Doll, who won the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (gr. I) a second straight year in her previous start, ran the opening quarter-mile in 24.44 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.79 according to New York Racing Association clockers.
It was the second of two workouts at Belmont for Groupie Doll, who breezed four furlongs in 48.61 Nov. 16, as she prepares for the one-turn mile Cigar.
"(Exercise rider Jada Schlenk) said that might have been the best she ever worked over that track," trainer William "Buff" Bradley said. "I said, 'That's great,' so we're very happy with that, and, as you saw, she had a tough time pulling her up."
Bradley proclaimed Groupie Doll ready for the 2013 Cigar Mile, a race in which last year she finished second by a nose to Stay Thirsty .
"I was just telling (groom) Matt (Hebert) the rest of the week is going to be easy," Bradley said. "We'll just take her out and just do light work with her. She looked very happy in the work and galloping out. Coming home, she looked happy. As Matt and Jada both said, she's not blowing very hard."
The Cigar Mile will be her first start for new owner Mandy Pope, who purchased the 5-year-old mare for $3.1 million Nov. 6 at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.