Pinch Hit Aims to Fulfill Prophecy in Groupie Doll
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Photo: John Engelhardt
Pinch Hit
Louisville owner Richard Klein said that right after the 3-year-old Pinch Hit finished fourth in Ellis Park's Groupie Doll Stakes (G3) last year that trainer Brad Cox told him the filly would be their 2018 winner.
All that's left now is the actual running of the $100,000 mile stakes, which will be Aug. 12.
Pinch Hit has done her part so far in not only getting to the Groupie Doll but as one of the favorites off her victory in Indiana Grand's $100,000 Mari Hulman George Stakes.
"Now we're taking a step up and hopefully she can be competitive in the step up," Klein said. "The funny thing is that after the race last year, Brad said, 'Circle the Groupie Doll next year. We're going to win it with this filly.' He said, 'Our goal is to get her to this race next year and to win the grade 3.'"
Prophecy aside, here's another reason to like Pinch Hit: Cox has won 15 of his past 29 starts at Ellis Park, including two stakes last Sunday, after starting off 0 for 13 in pursuit of his second training title at the track.
Cox also has used the Mari Hulman George as a very effective launching pad to Groupie Doll success. Tiger Mothswept the races last year, and Call Pat captured the 2015 Groupie Doll after being second at Indiana Grand. The Groupie Doll was the first graded victory for both fillies.
With five wins and three seconds in 13 starts, a graded-stakes victory or even placing would be significant for Pinch Hit's value as a broodmare. Not that she'll ever be sold, as the daughter of Harlan's Holiday is special to Klein.
Pinch Hit, bred by Klein in partnership with his parents, won the day before the death of his dad, Bert. The Louisville banker and philanthropist was buried with the silks and win photo from the race. Then on the birthday of Klein's late mother, Elaine, Pinch Hit won an allowance race at Churchill Downs at 19-1.
Pinch Hit followed that with a six-length allowance win at Ellis Park to earn a shot at last year's Groupie Doll, in which fourth place was a big effort after being wide much of the race. The filly won Churchill Downs' Dogwood Stakes in her next start.
The filly has improved in three starts this year: a fourth in Churchill's Winning Colors Stakes (G3) that at six furlongs might have been a little short for her, a troubled second in an allowance race won by Groupie Doll contender Champagne Problems and then the Indiana stakes victory.
"It took probably a little longer than we wanted to bring her back (off a layoff), but it's worked out well," Klein said.
Cox also is running the 3-year-old Ellis allowance winner Sense of Bravery in the Groupie Doll, perhaps with an eye on the 2019 race.
Ellis Park, Sunday, August 12, 2018, Race 9Entries: Groupie Doll S. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Sense of Bravery (KY)
Fernando De La Cruz
116
Brad H. Cox
15/1
2
2Jenda's Agenda (KY)
Gabriel Saez
120
J. Larry Jones
8/1
3
3Champagne Problems (KY)
Calvin H. Borel
120
Ian R. Wilkes
12/1
4
4Misleading Lady (KY)
Joseph Rocco, Jr.
120
Michael A. Tomlinson
30/1
5
5Honey Bunny (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
120
John Alexander Ortiz
12/1
6
6Pacific Pink (LA)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
120
Steven M. Asmussen
7/2
7
7Mines and Magic (KY)
Samuel Camacho, Jr.
120
Victoria H. Oliver
12/1
8
8Dutch Parrot (AR)
Alex L. Canchari
120
William B. Van Meter
15/1
9
9Torrent (KY)
Jack Gilligan
120
Ron Moquett
9/2
10
10Pinch Hit (KY)
Shaun Bridgmohan
120
Brad H. Cox
2/1
11
11Dorodansa (KY)
Channing Hill
120
Kellyn Gorder
20/1
