TORONTO, ON – Power Gal gave it her all down the stretch and picked up the win by a length in Saturday’s $125,000 Selene Stakes (G3) at Woodbine. This was the first career graded stakes win for the three-year-old Japanese bred daughter of Empire Maker who now has two wins in her four starts of the 2019 campaign.
Power Gal broke well and got out to the front for the first call but was quickly joined by the speedy Souper Charlotte on the inside. Souper Charlotte continued on speedily to claim the lead while the 3-5 post time favorite Bold Script hurried up on the outside to sit just off of the leader. Power Gal settled on the rail about a length back of Souper Charlotte while Preferred Guest and Above All Names sat close behind. Souper Charlotte continued on with the lead setting fractions of :24.82, :49. 59, and 1:13.72. Into the second turn, Bold Script was the first to move as she pulled even with the leader. Above All Names also moved up on the outside and was joined by Preferred Gal. Bold Script was the leader at the top of the stretch but Power Gal had plenty left in the tank and flew down the middle of the track to finish first by a length. Preferred Guest sat behind horses at the top of the stretch, moved down on the rail, and worked well late to get up for second. Bold Script finished third and Above All Names was fourth.
“I was really happy with the trip,” said jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson. “I was in the pocket the whole way around and I had a good view of Bold Script and [Gary] Boulanger so it was good. I could kind of clock what was going on and I could see everyone around me, so it was just a matter of when and where and how. With good horses, when you pull the trigger, they go. They make it simple.”
Power Gal returned $8.40 to win and $5.60 to place. Preferred Guest brought back $11.70 to place. There was no show betting.
