Spanish Pipedream led at every call and repelled a stiff challenge from runner-up Rachel’s Ready in the final half-furlong to take the $50,000 Holiday Inaugural by a neck at Turfway Park Saturday. Fioretti finished 2-1/2 lengths farther back in third.
The win was the second black-type score for Spanish Pipedream, who won the Cincinnati Trophy Stakes at Turfway in February for trainer Wesley Ward.
“She broke good so I just tried to get her to relax and she relaxed very good down the backside,” said winning jockey Albin Jimenez. “The track’s playing real fast and real tight, and she gave me that little kick at the end.”
Spanish Pipedream broke from post five and clocked quick fractions, marking the first quarter in 22.06 and the half-mile in 45.41. She finished the six furlong race for fillies and mares three years old and up in 1:11.01.
The win was the fourth of five on the night for Jimenez and the second for Ward.
Fioretti, winner of Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (TCA) at Keeneland and heavily favored at 7-5, was slow to get involved after breaking from post 10.
“(Fioretti) wasn’t as naturally quick out of the gate like she normally is,” said jockey Sophie Doyle. “I had to ride her to get my position. This track’s playing speed, and we drew the 10, so that was a disadvantage for us. She had to work to get up there. She was wide, but the 9 (Harlan’s Honor) was falling back on us, and it was either come in and get in trouble, or stay wide, and I like to keep things smooth and keep her running. She came running at them, but the front pair, they just kicked on.”
Spanish Pipedream went off the third choice at 5-1 and paid $12.40 to win, $6.60 to place, and $3.40 to show.
A three-year-old daughter of Scat Daddy out of Doc’s Leading Lady, Spanish Pipedream was bred in Kentucky by Hurstland Farm and James H. Green Jr. With four wins in six starts, she has earned $143,821 for Gatewood Bell’s Hat Creek Racing.
Aireofdistinction completed the Superfecta, followed by Tetrad, Determined Yankee, Swept Ashore, Tippie Tap, Harlan’s Honor, Cactus Joe and Donita’s Ruler.