Con Lima Carousels Rivals in Ginger Brew

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Trainer Todd Pletcher’s Con Lima struck the front end early and never ceased carouseling her rivals in Saturday’s $75,000 Ginger Brew Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Con Lima broke alertly from post 6 under Paco Lopez as the 2/1 second choice and posted opening fractions of :23.95 and :47.55 while Karakatsie, Inthewinnerscircle, and Honey Pants chased three-wide.

Lopez peeked behind multiple times in the far turn before letting Con Lima loose at the top of the stretch, and the Todd Pletcher trainee drew off to post a 3 1/4-length score, completing the firm turf mile route in 1:35.23.

“Todd told me to judge the race, if she was keen to go or if we needed to sit behind, to go with her,” Lopez said. “She broke well and was a little strong. I had to hold her a little bit, but no one pressured us. I couldn’t believe it, so I let her go and my filly finished very well.”

Honey Pants finished second as the 3/2 favorite, a head in front of Designer Ready, with I Get It necked out Inthewinnerscircle for fourth.

Karakatsie, Viking Queen, and Sweet Pearl completed the order of finish.

Oyster Box was scratched from the field restricted to 3-year-old fillies.

Con Lima’s win was her second consecutive gate-to-wire romp over this course and distance after defeating optional claimers on December 12, improving her record to 6-3-3-0. The Texas-bred Commissioner filly, privately purchased following her maiden-breaking effort in late July, has to date bankrolled $134,955.

“We handle her carefully,” Pletcher said. “She’s got a lot of energy and we try to keep it channeled in the right direction. She was actually very good in the paddock today. We stayed inside and stayed with the pony. She warmed up really nice, was good in the gate and broke alertly, and kind of towed Paco around there. He had a tougher time getting her back to the winner’s circle than he did around the track.”

Con Lima returned $6.20 to win, $3.40 to place, and $2.40 to show. Honey Pants brought back $3 to place and $2.20 to show, while Designer Ready paid $2.80 to show.