Tiger Moth Gets Graded Score in Groupie Doll
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Photo: Coady Photography
Tiger Moth wins the Groupie Doll Stakes at Ellis Park
John Gunther’s Tiger Moth scored her first graded stakes victory with a closing score in the $100,000 Groupie Doll Stakes (G3) at Ellis Park Aug. 13.
With 11 fillies and mares in the field for the one-mile dirt test, it was Put Da Blame On Me who led until the final furlong. She set fractions of :23.18, :45.79, 1:10.37, and 1:23.29 through the first seven furlongs.
Tiger Moth, ridden by Corey Lanerie, raced in 10th early, then advanced to seventh with a quarter-mile to run. Tiger Moth and Walkabout rallied down the center of the track in the stretch, but Tiger Moth was able to get three-quarters of a length in front at the wire to complete the mile in 1:36.30. Danzatrice was able to get up for third.
"(Trainer) Brad (Cox) and his assistant told me it would probably be better if I came around with her, because she would be back and she kind of has a grinding run," Lanerie said. "I went really wide, a lot wider than I normally would. I felt like I went a mile and an eighth. When I saw Brian (Hernandez) get through on Walkabout, I said, 'I'm not going to beat him.' But once we straightened out for home and my mare got on her right lead, she just proved that she was going to get him and that she was the best horse today."
Tiger Moth came into the Groupie Doll off her first stakes win in the listed Mari Hulman George Stakes July 15 at Indiana Grand Race Course, which the 5-year-old daughter of Street Sense took by 2 1/2 lengths.
Since Cox took over training in November, Tiger Moth has stepped up in company. She finished third in the Azeri Stakes (G2) and fourth in the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1), and followed those graded stakes placings with two off-the-board finishes in the Matron Stakes (G3) and Fleur de Lis Handicap (G2).
"It looks like her form keeps getting better and better," Lanerie said. "Brad and his team have done a great job. This was the first time I saw her and sat on her. Glad to be a passenger, and glad they let me ride her."
The winner paid $9.40, $4.20, and $3.20 across the board. Walkabout returned $5.20 and $3.80, and Danzatrice paid $5.20.