News American Gal Gives Patriotic Performance in G3 Victory Ride July 9, 2017 News American Gal Gives Patriotic Performance in G3 Victory Ride July 9, 2017 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article ELMONT, NY – Sporting the American flag silks of owner Kaleem Shah, American Gal and jockey Flavien Prat took the Grade 3, $150,000 Victory Ride Stakes in fine fashion. The 15th running of the 6 1/2 furlong race for 3-year-old fillies was the Sunday headliner for Belmont Park’s annual Stars and Stripes Festival weekend. It traditionally serves as a prep for the 7-furlong Grade 1 Longines Test at Saratoga on August 5. “She had worked brilliantly coming into this race, so we expected a big effort,” Shah said. “I would have been surprised if she had lost. I’m so pleased with the race, and hopefully, we go on to bigger and better things. Her next target will be the Test.” Breaking as the 3-5 favorite from post 3 in a small yet robust field of five, the homebred American Gal rode down the backstretch and through the turn while in the middle of a four-wide pack. With a slight nose advantage, American Gal led through early splits of :22.48 and :45.84 while under pressure from Too Much Tip at the rail and Noble Freud and Vertical Oak to the outside. Coming off of the turn, the Simon Callaghan-trained daughter of Concord Point put her nose down and went to work, dispatching of her foes and crossing the line in 1:17.38 for her first career graded stakes victory. She was 4 3/4 lengths in front of Vertical Oak, who was a neck ahead of Noble Freud. Golden Mischief and Too Much Tip completed the order of finish. American Gal was making her first start since Shah moved her to Simon Callaghan’s barn at the beginning of the year. It was Prat’s first time aboard her after facing (and losing to) her twice before. “Simon did a great job and she was ready to run today,” said Prat. “She stumbled a bit from the gate, then after that, when she was on the lead around the turn, she was ready.” Shipping from California for the first time, American Gal’s prior two races saw her cross second in the Grade 1 Starlet Stakes and third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. With a record of 5-3-1-1, the winner’s share of $87,000 increased her career earnings to $407,700. American Gal returned $4.50, $2.80, and $2.10. Vertical Oak brought back $2.90 and $2.20, while Noble Freud paid $2.60 to show.
Kentucky Derby First Look and NHL/NBA Playoff Update | Dudes Who Bet Sports 189 Aaron and Papa Dude discuss the probable for the 150th… Read More
2024 Kentucky Derby Horse Profiles – How Each Horse Can Win | Blinkers Off 662 The Racing Dudes take a look at the contenders of… Read More
Keeneland Pick 5 | The Magic Mike Show 542 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
NBA & NHL Playoff Previews & Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 188 Aaron and Papa Dude discuss OJ Simpson, UConn’s national championship… Read More
2024 Kentucky Derby Top 10 & Rapid-Fire Picks | Blinkers Off 661 The Racing Dudes reveal their Top 10 Kentucky Derby prospects… Read More
Kentucky Derby 2024 Latest News & Top Contenders | It’s The Final Countdown Aaron discusses the latest 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) news, then… Read More
Fierceness | Get To Know The 2024 Kentucky Derby Contender Jared discusses Fierceness, a contender for the 2024 Kentucky Derby… Read More
Sierra Leone | Get To Know The 2024 Kentucky Derby Contender Jared discusses Sierra Leone, a contender for the 2024 Kentucky… Read More
Catching Freedom | Get To Know The 2024 Kentucky Derby Contender Jared discusses Catching Freedom, a contender for the 2024 Kentucky… Read More
Forever Young | Get To Know The 2024 Kentucky Derby Contender Jared discusses Forever Young, a contender for the 2024 Kentucky… Read More