Gamble’s Ghost Up Late in G3 Trillium

TORONTO, ON – Ivan Dalos’ Gamble’s Ghost saved his best effort until when it mattered most on Sunday, closing with a flurry to get up late at the wire and take the Grade 3, $125,000 Trillium Stakes at Woodbine.

Breaking from the far outside 10 post under Eurico Da Silva, Gamble’s Ghost was bumped slightly after Malibu Bonnie broke outward from the 8 post and crossed into both she and the 5-2 favorite Miss Mo Mentum, causing the impeded duo to run at the rear early. On the front end, My Arch Enemy, a recovered Malibu Bonnie, and Ickymasho pressured each othe through opening splits of :23.92, :48.42, and 1:12.88.  Running along the rail in last while heading into the far turn but less than 4 lengths from the lead, Da Silva tipped Gamble’s Ghost off the rail and set her six-wide for the drive home. Steadily progressing toward the current leader Ickymasho with every step, the Josie Carroll trainee took command at the 1/16 pole and continued driving late to win by a 1/2-length in a final time of 1:43.61 for the 1 1/16-mile event over the main track’s synthetic surface.

“We had a wonderful trip,” said Da Silva. “I was able to save a lot of ground. In the turn, when we turned home, I had a chance to shift her out, and she kicked from there. She kicked so strong. She’s a wonderful horse to ride. So easy and a very kind horse.”

Ickymasho stayed on for second, while My Arch Enemy was able to hold off a determined Grizzel for third by a head. Sister Nation finished fifth, with Malibu Bonnie, Miss Mo Mentum, and Boreale completing the order of finish. Silhouette and Sugar Jones were scratched.

Gamble’s Ghost’s win was her fourth career graded stakes score, all at Woodbine, and improved her record to 18-8-3-1 with career earnings of $653,160. The 5-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper made her 2018 debut here last month, finishing third in an allowance event.

“She’s so special,” said Carroll. “She’s so honest and shows up every time. She ran hard against a speed bias last time and didn’t quite get there. She just shows up. She’s just a good horse.”

Gamble’s Ghost returned $9.30 to win, $4.80 to place, and $3.50 to show. Ickymasho brought back $4.30 to place and $3.10 to show, while My Arch Enemy paid $3.60 to show.