It was a different horse in the winner’s circle, and different circumstances for the barn, but Gal in a Rush returned to Presque Isle Downs on Friday to win the track’s signature race, the Grade 2, $300,000 Presque Isle Masters, giving the Clement barn a second straight win in the event.
Gal in a Rush ($22.60), a 6-year-old Ghostzapper mare owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Chris Larsen, and Titletown Racing Stables, is now trained by Miguel Clement, who took over the stable after the death of his father, Christophe Clement, earlier this year. Gal in a Rush had made a foray to Erie, Pa., last year, finishing third in the Masters behind stablemate Roses for Debra. This year, Gal in a Rush came back to the race off a third in the local prep, the Satin and Lace Stakes last month. By capturing the Masters, this now-multiple graded stakes winner pushed her career earnings past the $500,000 threshold.
The late-running Gal in a Rush got her pace setup up front, as Mitole Magic was hounded by Tricky Temper on her inside, Freedom Speaks on her outside, and Pandora’s Gift in the vanguard through opening fractions of 22.18 seconds for the quarter and 44.26 for the half on the Tapeta. Still, Gal in a Rush was ninth and with plenty to do approaching the head of the stretch. The key moment for the eventual winner came when Joel Rosario, who had been considering his options while behind a wall of horses in the stretch, dove to the rail midway down the lane.
“Sometimes she takes a little time to kind of get going,” Rosario said. “For a second, turning for home, I thought I was going to go between horses.”
Gal in a Rush came up on the inside of Tricky Temper, who had inherited the lead inside the furlong grounds. Post-time favorite Ellen Jay, making her second start of the year off a layoff, rallied seven wide on the outside, but the wire came up faster than she did. As the field hit the post, Gal in a Rush was ahead by a length, with Ellen Jay nosing out Tricky Temper for the place.
After the top three, it was two lengths back to Candy Reward, followed by Ticker Tape Home, Mitole Magic, Elysian Field, Stormcast, Ms. Tart, Freedom Speaks, Pandora’s Gift, and Naughty Favors.
The final time for the 6 1/2 furlongs was 1:14.45 – a few ticks off the track record of 1:13.92 Roses for Debra established a year ago.
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