Gamine blasts Venetian Harbour at Saragota

Trainer of Justify #7 Bob Baffert celebrates after jockey Mike Smith (left) won the 143rd running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 19, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. PHOTO | ROB CARR | AFP

What you need to know:

  • Paco, whose 31 winners at the meeting, fell after Pretendant clipped heels with Bob in our Midst, in tightly condensed quarters.

Michael Lund Petersen's, Gamine (John Velazquez 2-5), proved her previous lancing in the Acorn Stakes by 18.75 lengths, was no flook.

She took over Saratoga Race Course again by blasting Venetian Harbor in a smashing time of 1:20:4/10 seconds, for 1,400m. This equaled Lady Tak's magnificence from 2003.

Venetian Harbor as 1-5 favourite, held on to second place, with Up in Smoke, Perfect Alibi, and Mrs Danvers, toddling along later.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Gamine was bred by Grace Thoroughbred Holdings. She is one of these rare horses who does her own thing, fully knowledgeable of essential requisite. In other words, a rider's sofa. A rising star for punters to hang on to.

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Joel Politi's. Serengeti Empress (Luis Saez 4-1), quickly moved to the front, securing Saratoga's Ballerina Stakes. Bellafina, Victim of Love, Come Dancing, and Letruska were not too far back.

This guarantees a spot in the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series Sprint, with all fees paid for Fillies and Mares only. Even after a poor start, Serengeti was able to recover ground and side with Letruska whose energy failed her.

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Top rider at Monmouth Park, Paco Lopez, was rushed by ambulance to the Medical Center in Long Branch for X-rays and evaluation, after enduring an apparent right elbow injury following a spill in the 10th race on Saturday's card.

Paco, whose 31 winners at the meeting, fell after Pretendant clipped heels with Bob in our Midst, in tightly condensed quarters. This is the seriousness of horse racing. One has to be vigilant every moment.