Gin Gin Secures First Stakes Win in Busanda at Aqueduct
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand
Gin Gin wins the Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
After earning a stakes placing as a 2-year-old last season, Gin Gin opened her 3-year-old campaign with a clear victory in the $97,000 Busanda Stakes Jan. 13 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
In completing Saturday's 1 1/8-mile test for sophomore fillies in 1:53.31 on a muddy (sealed) track, the Calumet Farm homebred daughter of Hightail secured 20 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Oaks (G1). Trained by Brad Cox and guided to victory by Trevor McCarthy, Gin Gin was followed home by Princess Mayfair , Shimmering Allure , Most of All , and Class Act .
The Busanda awarded Oaks qualifying points to the top five finishers (20-10-6-4-2).
Cox was pleased to see Gin Gin handle nine furlongs in her first attempt at the distance.
"I was a touch concerned if she would want to go a mile and an eighth and she put my doubts to rest today with her performance," said Cox. "She's a very good-looking filly and has always trained well in the mornings. I'm glad she was able to add a stakes win to her résumé. It's a big update for her and Calumet."
Cox added Gin Gin will likely next point to the 1 1/8-mile Gazelle Stakes (G3) in early April at the Big A. Cox will talk it over with Calumet's Brad Kelley and Eddie Kane but said keeping her in New York makes sense.