Trip For A.J. - 5th stakes win
Trippy filly Trip for A.J. avenged a heart-breaking setback at the hands of Horse Chestnut mare Askbut I Won’ttell last time out when she scored a half-length upset over her nemesis in Saturday’s $300,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf at Gulfstream Park.
In the Grade 3 My Charmer on Dec. 4, Trip for A.J. was hard used contesting the pace, shook free at midstretch, but could not withstand the final surge from Askbut I Won’ttell. But jockey John Velazquez opted to use different tactics in Saturday’s rematch, rating Trip for A.J. off the early pace set by Becky’s Exchange and Speak Easy Gal in the Filly and Mare Turf.
Trip for A.J. tipped out three-wide to launch her bid near the quarter pole, gained a short advantage in early stretch, edged away, and had enough left to withstand Askbut I Won’ttell’s final bid. Askbut I Won’ttell made a quick move to close contention while racing wide approaching the stretch, bore out even further turning for home, but this time just was not good enough to run down Trip for A.J. at the end.
SUNSHINE MILLIONS FILLY AND MARE TURF S.
Gulfstream Park, January 29, $300,000, 4yo & up, f&m, California- or Floridabred,
9fT, firm, 1:49.49.
TRIP FOR A. J., 120, Ch. f. 4, Trippi—A. J.’s Hot Shot, by Explodent. Owner, Peter D. Fuller; breeder, Peter Fuller (Fl.); trainer, Milton W. Wolfson; jockey, John R. Velazquez. $165,000. Lifetime: 14-7-1-1, $401,145. Half to ANNABILL ($709,200), HOT JELLY JAM ($157,983).
Askbut I Won’ttell 122, Ch. m. 5, Horse Chestnut (SAf)—Silver Dollar Kate, by Green Dancer. Owner, Team Block and Ege, Rich; breeder, Hidden
Point Farm Inc. & Hal Queen Farm (Fl.); trainer, Chris M. Block. $60,000.
Scolara 122, B. m. 6, Quiet American SD—Millie’s Delight, by El Gran Senor. Owner, Haras Santa Maria de Araras; breeder, Haras Santa Maria de
Araras S.A. (Fl.); trainer, William I. Mott. $33,000.
Margins: 1/2, 2 1/4, 1/2
