Gamble’s Ghost appears on Mazarine wire, Kentucky Oaks leaderboard

Gamble’s Ghost was sent off the 2-5 favorite in Sunday’s $136,169 Mazarine S. (Can-G3) at Woodbine, and the Josie Carroll pupil needed every bit of her class to get the win after a troubled trip.

Gamble’s Ghost and jockey Luis Contreras found themselves running well off the :24.30, :49.82 and 1:15.10 pace set up front by Audacious Bear. The dark bay miss was about three wide on the backstretch, stalking between Swoop and Strike and Conquest Soprano.

She found her way blocked entering the final turn and Contreras took her back a bit in an attempt to get clear. Unfortunately, Garavogue Colleen was closing to her outside and Gamble’s Ghost once again was forced to check her momentum as that one hemmed her in.

Last entering the lane, Gamble’s Ghost finally found some room and unleashed her rally to split Swoop and Strike and Garavogue Colleen. Contreras lost the whip in midstretch but Gamble’s Ghost still pulled off the three-quarter length victory over Swoop and Strike under a strong hand ride. It was another three parts of a length back to Garavogue Colleen.

Gamble’s Ghost completed 1 1/16 miles over the synthetic Polytrack in 1:45.62 to earn her first stakes win. The Mazarine is part of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series that awards points toward a starting berth in that nine-furlong contest next May, so the Ghostzapper filly also joined the Kentucky Oaks (G1) leaderboard with 10 points to her credit.

Campaigned by breeder Ivan Dalos, Gamble’s Ghost is now 3-2-1-0 in her career after breaking her maiden by 8 1/4 lengths on August 14 and finishing second in the grassy Natalma S. (Can-G2) last out on September 12.

Gamble’s Ghost (outside, purple hat) photo courtesy of WEG/Michael Burns Photography

MAZARINE QUOTES 

Josie Carroll, trainer of winner Gamble’s Ghost: "The last time (in the Natalma) she did not break well and I think it was belated when she got running and wasn't able to catch a free-running leader (Catch a Glimpse). We had some anxious moments today. Luis might have been pretty confident, but when I saw her trapped in there I was pretty concerned. She is a very brave filly and she went through and pricked her ears and had fun."

Ivan Dalos, owner of winner Gamble’s Ghost: "This one is special because her dam passed away this year. I have some special memories of her."