Champagne Problems Has No Issue in Groupie Doll

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Photo: Coady Photography
Champagne Problems wins the Groupie Doll Stakes at Ellis Park

Calvin Borel teamed with trainer Ian Wilkes to capture Ellis Park's signature race, as Champagne Problems powered to a 3 1/4-length victory over frontrunning favorite Sense of Bravery in the $100,000 Groupie Doll Stakes (G3) Aug. 12.

Pinch Hit, the 2-1 program favorite who wound up as second choice behind her Brad Cox-trained stablemate Sense of Bravery, finished another half-length back in third in the field of 10 fillies and mares.

The 4-year-old Champagne Problems earned her first stakes victory in her 18th start.

"The filly always had talent," Borel said. "I've got to give credit to Ian for getting her ready for this race. We've been pointing her for this the last couple of races, and she's just getting better and better. ... We had to spend a lot of time with her, get her head right, do a lot of work with her."

After a break from post 3, Champagne Problems saved ground on the rail until the quarter pole, when Borel was able to get the daughter of Ghostzapper  to the outside for her attack on the leaders. At the eighth pole Champagne Problems had only Sense of Bravery to reel in, which she did with authority to finish off the mile in 1:36.74.

"Actually today she wasn't really traveling that good down the backside," Borel said. "She'll run on the inside of horses, but she's not comfortable. But I was still picking up horses, and I was just waiting for the time to come to get out and let her run and do her thing. I just let her run about the last eighth-mile today. She's improving a lot."

Champagne Problems was coming off a Churchill Downs allowance victory over Pinch Hit in their last start. They have met four times and each has won twice.

"She used to be really nervous, tough to saddle, and she really has gotten into a nice niche lately," Wilkes said. "We've eyed this Groupie Doll for a while, because of the grade 3 status with it. It really helps enhance her value. We've been planning for this about three or four races back. I told Calvin, 'Everything we do is for the Groupie Doll.' Sometimes a plan comes off."

One race earlier trainer Larry Jones finished 1-2 in the new $75,000 Ellis Park Derby with Believe in Royalty edging Kowboy Karma by a half-length.

Video: Groupie Doll S. (G3)