TORONTO, July 6, 2024 – Gal in a Rush made her second appearance at Woodbine a winning one, taking Saturday’s $135,000 Hendrie Stakes (G3), a 6 ½-furlong main track sprint for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up. Trained by Christophe Clement for owners West Point Thoroughbreds, Chris Larsen, and Titletown Racing Stables, Gal in a Rush, a 5-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper-Hudson River Gal, finished second in the 2022 Alywow Stakes at Woodbine. Today, she went one better. Owen’s Tour Guide blasted out of the gate from the outside post and took command, followed by Awesome Treat, Marissa’s Lady and even-money choice Play the Music, who had won her two previous starts, the Whimsical (G3) and Royal North (G3T). It was Owen’s Tour Guide on top by 1 ½ lengths over Marissa’s Lady through an opening quarter in :22.69, while Gal in a Rush, in rein to Kazushi Kimura, sat last of nine. Owen’s Tour Guide continued to call the shots on the front end, but Marissa’s Lady and Play the Music dialed up the pressure to her outside after a half in :44.82 and into the turn for home. At the stretch call, Gal in a Rush moved into sixth, but powered on to post a 1 ¼-length victory in a time of 1:15.54. A game Owen’s Tour Guide finished second, a neck in front of Play the Music. Awesome Treat was fourth. Ro Town, Dolce Sopresa, and Baby No Worries were scratched. Gal in a Rush and jockey Kazushi Kimura winning the Hendrie Stakes (G3) on July 6, 2024 (Michael Burns Photo) “She’s the type to take it easy for the first half and try to finish up strong,” said Kimura. “I tried to put on the pressure and make sure I’m in the clear. That’s what I did today. It’s kind of like gambling, but she just responded so well. “I was just focused on keeping a good rhythm with my horse. I knew Christophe gave me a good opportunity to ride nice horses here. She’s a nice horse.” Bred in Kentucky by Tom and Mary Lou Teal, and Adena Springs, the bay mare, who notched her first stakes win, is now 4-5-2 from 16 career starts. Gal in a Rush was a $375,000 purchase at the 2021 OBS Company March Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training. She paid $15.10 for today’s win. Chris Lomon, Woodbine Share This:Share
