American Gal to the head of the class in Test
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Going into Saturday’s $500,000 Test Stakes (G1), American Gal had been favored in all five starts, winning three of them. The daughter of Concord Point didn’t go off as the favorite in the Test – Faypien was the narrow top choice – but despite the “slight” she responded with the most impressive performance of her career, out-finishing three spent rivals over the final furlong to post a four-length victory.
As usual, there were a lot of speedy three-year-old fillies signed on for the seven-furlong event. Thus, it was no surprise when Chalon took the field through a sharp :44.53 half-mile, with Vertical Oak, Faypien and American Gal not far back. The four separated themselves from the others on the turn, and when they straightened out they were all four lined up across the track.
Vertical Oak was the first to give it up, but the other three were still in it passing the furlong pole. American Gal, widest of all, soon drew off and was all by herself the rest of the way. Faypien finished second, a half-length ahead of Tequilita. Chalon, Vertical Oak, Your Love, Divine Miss Grey, Chanel’s Legacy, Minnie Blip and Cursor completed the order of finish. The running time for seven furlongs over a fast main track was 1 minute, 22.26 seconds.
“She finished very well,” said winning rider Jose Ortiz. “I just wanted to get a clean break, and I got it. We found some room. She was very impressive today.”
American Gal remains undefeated at sprint distances. In a pair of starts around two turns, the Kaleem Shah homebred hit the board but gave ground late in both. In her most recent start prior to the Whitney – as well as her first outside California – American Gal drew off to take the 6½-furlong Victory Ride (G3) by nearly five lengths.
“We knew she was sitting on a big performance,” said winning trainer Simon Callaghan. “She came into this race so good after her last race, and for once [today’s race] went perfectly to plan. She got a great trip, and she dominated today. I think cutting her back to seven-eighths is her best distance.”
Runner-up Faypien, coming off a head win in the Summertime Oaks (G2), ended her own winning streak at three.
“The trip was good,” said Rafael Bejarano, in from California for the ride. “There was a lot of pressure from the
outside. I had to keep going to keep my position. She tried every step in the race.”
With the victory, American Gal improves her record to 4-1-1 in six starts. The $300,000 winner’s share boots her lifetime earnings to $707,700.