Competitive Speed All That And Then Some In Glitter Woman

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – John Minchello’s Competitive Speed was all that and then some as she strode home to a 9/1 upset score in Saturday’s $75,000 Glitter Woman Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Breaking from post 3 under regular rider Leonel Reyes, Competitive Speed settled into a three-wide position stalking behind Dial to Win, who chased the pacesetting Shop Girl through opening fractions of :22.49 and :45.49.

Ranging up to make her bid in the far turn, Competitive Speed met Shop Girl’s throat latch near the top of the stretch and drew off once straightened for home.

Competitive Speed gave trainer Javier Gonzalez his first US win as she crossed 3 lengths clear, completing the 6 1/2-furlong fast dirt sprint in 1:17.08.

“It’s my first stakes here,” said Gonzalez, who conditioned multiple graded stakes winners in Puerto Rico. “We started the year on the right step. It seems to me that we will have some good things happen this year.”

Shop Girl saved second by 6 1/2 lengths over a three-way photo for third that went to Gone to Cabo by a head and a 1/2-length over Hit the Woah (the 3/5 favorite who blew the start) and Dial to Win, respectively.

Lucifers Lair completed the order of finish.

Dancing Crane was scratched from the race restricted to 3-year-old fillies.

Competitive Speed’s win was her third straight following a maiden-breaking effort at the $25k claiming level and a starter-allowance trouncing last time out. The Competitive Edge filly’s record now stands at 4-3-0-0 with $76,995 earned.

Competitive Speed returned $20 to win, $7.60 to place, and $5.60 to show. Shop Girl brought back $7 to place and $5 to show, while Gone to Cabo paid $7.80 to show.