Lady Pimpernel Gets First U.S. Win in Frankel

Recent British import Lady Pimpernel landed her first United States victory by a nose when she came from off the pace in the $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes (gr. IIIT)  on the turf at Santa Anita Park Dec. 27.



The favored 4-year-old daughter of Sir Percy denied the fast-closing Diversy Harbor in the 1 1/8-mile test for fillies and mares named for the late, great trainer. Lady Pimpernel provided a second turf stakes win on the Saturday card for trainer Carla Gaines, who saddled impressive 2-year-old Bolo for victory in the Eddie Logan two races earlier.



Owned by Lincoln Collins' Triton Racing and ridden by Victor Espinoza, Lady Pimpernel broke through in her second stateside attempt after finishing a troubled third in the Red Carpet Handicap (gr. IIIT) Nov. 22 at Del Mar. The chestnut filly was a minor stakes winner in her native England in August.



The 5-2 choice in the field of nine, Lady Pimpernel ran the nine furlongs in 1:49.96 over firm turf.

"She had a tough trip at Del Mar," Gaines said. "She was bottled up today, but at least he (Espinoza) snuck through. He went a bit wide but they got the job done. I'm so excited."



Unhurried early, Lady Pimpernel rated midpack as Kathleen Rose took the early lead with Rusty Slipper prompting from the outside through tepid fractions of :24.97, :50.05, and 1:14.41. Those two continued to lead the field into the stretch with Blingismything and Three Hearts also in contention.



Lady Pimpernel, well covered while saving some ground for Espinoza, worked her way into contention between rivals, grabbing the lead in the final furlong under left-handed urging. Diversy Harbor, ridden by Gary Stevens, trailed the field into the stretch but came flying down the lane on the far outside to threaten. But Lady Pimpernel dug in for the closing stages and reached the wire just in time.

"It worked out well this time," said Espinoza, who has ridden Lady Pimpernel in both her U.S. starts. "I wanted to stay up closer today. Last time, she broke a little slow and we had to make up a lot of ground. Today I wanted to stay closer to the pace, I didn't want to be too far back. She's a distance filly and she doesn't really have a strong closing kick; I didn't want to leave her too much to do.

"For a minute I did think Gary (Stevens, on Diversy Harbor) was going to get me, but I knew she could keep going for just a little longer."



Diversy Harbor was second by a neck over Three Hearts, who was forced to steady off heels under Tyler Baze at midstretch but finished willingly.

"I had a good trip until we came into the lane," Stevens said. "I had to swing out extremely wide. I really didn't want to give up that ground. I was loaded and there was nothing developing in front of me. She ran big."

"I just had nowhere to go," Baze said of Three Hearts' trip. "She's way the best horse and should have won today."

Lady of Gold was a neck farther back in fourth. She was followed by Kathleen Rose, Rusty Slipper, Blingismything, Scooter Bird, and Aguafria.

Lady Pimpernel posted her fifth victory in 16 starts while extending her earnings to $153,407.



Bred in Great Britain by Harts Farm Stud out of the Belong to Me mare Angeleno, Lady Pimpernel was a $13,751 buy at the 2012 Tattersalls' Guineas breeze-up & horses in training sale.



Under 119 pounds, the winner paid $7.80, $4.20, and $3.80, keying a $36.40 exacta with second choice Diversy Harbor, who returned $4.80 and $3.40. Three Hearts, who defeated Lady Pimpernel when winning the Red Carpet, paid $7.40 to show.



In that race, Lady Pimpernel was steadied twice while attempting to rally before finishing well once clear in the stretch, beaten three-quarters by Three Hearts.



Bee Brave, Floral Romance, and Winning Rhythm scratched from the Frankel.