Pink Sands roars home strongly in Inside Information

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Gainesway Stable and Andrew Rosen’s Pink Sands roared home strongly in the stretch to win Saturday’s $200,000 Inside Information Stakes Presented by Runhappy Matchmaker Series (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

Breaking from post 11 under Jose Ortiz at 5/1 odds, Pink Sands allowed the several sprinters signed on to find the early lead. Chief among them was Liza Star, J P’s Delight, and Blamed, who dueled through opening fractions of :22.47 and :45.34.

After purposely trailing early, Ortiz pressed the gas pedal heading into the far turn and Pink Sands soon circled much of her foes before hitting the top of the stretch in fifth. Continuing to gobble up ground in the middle of the track as she chased after new leader Spiced Perfection, Pink Sands swept right on by and drove away convincingly for the victory.

The Shug McGaughey-trained Pink Sands crossed 3 lengths clear in a final time of 1:23.42 for the 7-furlong sprint over the fast main track.

“She’s a come-from-behind filly, I can’t change that,” Ortiz said. “I was expecting a hot pace. I saw it was 45 and change; I was expecting like 44, but she was traveling well. I didn’t fall asleep on her and I tried to be as close as I could without taking her out of her rhythm. When she got to the 1/4 pole, she started rolling. I was just waiting for some room, and when she got it, she was there for me.”

Though outkicked by the eventual winner, Wildwood’s Beauty put forth a strong effort to take second over Nonna Madeline, while the 8/5 favorite Spiced Perfection weakened to fourth. Our Super Freak beat A Bit of Both for fifth by a 1/2-length behind them.

Completing the order of finish came Baccarat Fashion, Bronx Beauty, Heavenhasmynikki, and the spent pace-setting trio of Liza Star, J P’s Delight, and Blamed.

Pink Sands’ win was her second straight, having taken the local 1-mile Rampart Stakes (G3) on December 14. The 5-year-old daughter of Tapit improved her record to 18-6-3-4 with $468,300 earned.

“That was special,” McGaughey said. “This filly has gotten good and she loves this track. The guys who own her are friends of mine and it’s always fun to participate in these big races.”

Pink Sands returned $12.60 to win, $6 to place, and $3.80 to show. Wildwood’s Beauty brought back $6 to place and $3.80 to show, while Nonna Madeline paid $4.20 to show.