CHC and WinStar’s Falconet (Uncle Mo) scored her third stakes victory of the year Sunday with a gutsy win the one-mile Groupie Doll S. at Ellis Park in Kentucky.
Last seen finishing a disappointing fifth in Pimlico’s Allaire DuPont Distaff in May, Falconet was overlooked by the bettors at 7-1 in this return from three months on the sidelines and going a distance a little short of her best.
Saving ground in a joint third early, the bay filly was swarmed and locked in between rivals after the opening quarter. Jockey Gerardo Corrales remained patient and kept Falconet in her position. A seam opened up turning for home and Falconet punched it through it bravely, forging clear of her rivals in the final sixteenth to win by 1 ¼ lengths.
“As Todd Pletcher said to me after the race, she was very game,” said Christie DeBernardis, CHC Regional Manager of the Americas.
“I was a bit concerned going in as she really prefers to go at least nine furlongs and it was a large field. But Gerardo kept her exactly where she needed to be and she was there for him when he asked.
“Every bit of black-type you can get on a filly, especially one with her pedigree, is so important for the future, so we are thrilled to add another stakes win to her resume.”
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