Power Gal Gives Casse, Barber Back-to-Back Selene Wins
Image:
Description:
Photo: Michael Burns
Power Gal wins the Selene Stakes at Woodbine
Jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson worked out a perfect pocket trip aboard Power Gal to take the $125,000 Selene Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies in a mild upset May 18 at Woodbine.
After winning the Selene last year with Miss Mo Mentum, the combination of trainer Mark Casse and owner Gary Barber struck again in the 1 1/16-mile feature. Power Gal defeated a field of four foes that included a pair of stablemates plus Sovereign Award-winning filly Bold Script.
Undefeated in two starts last year for Casse, Glorious Song Stakes winner Souper Charlotte led the way through opening fractions of :24.82 and :49.56, with Power Gal following in behind and the favored Bold Script stalking the pace. Approaching three-quarters in 1:13.72, Bold Script took over command from the tiring Souper Charlotte and spun into the stretch with a clear lead before Power Gal rallied by to score in 1:44.11 by one length.
Early trailer Preferred Guest, winner of last year's South Ocean Stakes, closed inside to grab the runner-up spot just ahead of fellow Queen's Plate-eligible Bold Script and made it a 1-2 finish for Casse. Above All Names finished fourth, and Souper Charlotte faded to last.
"I was really happy with the trip," said Wilson. "I was in the pocket the whole way around, and I had a good view of Bold Script and (Gary) Boulanger, so it was good. I could kind of clock what was going on, and I could see everyone around me, so it was just a matter of when and where and how. With good horses, when you pull the trigger, they go. They make it simple."
Entering the Selene off a third-place finish in the six-furlong Star Shoot Stakes during her Woodbine debut last month, Power Gal was sent postward as the 3-1 third choice and returned $8.40 to win.
Bred in Japan by Paca Paca Farm, the Empire Maker —Nan, by High Yield, filly now boasts three wins in seven starts, with earnings approaching the $200,000 mark. Power Gal broke her maiden over 6 1/2 furlongs at Aqueduct Racetrack in November and was also a winner in the Martha Washington Stakes over a mile this year at Oaklawn Park.