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Bit of Whimsy shows heart in Mrs. Revere Joyce B. Young and Gerald McManis' BIT OF WHIMSY (Distorted Humor) was given a huge test in the stretch by the Churchill-loving Ciao (Lear Fan), but the classy sophomore showed tenacity in holding that one at bay to take the $174,900 Mrs. Revere S. (G2) over the Churchill Downs turf on Saturday. The 8-5 favorite broke well and rated in midpack early, angled five-wide leaving the second turn and closed gamely under Javier Castellano to get up by a half-length. The final time for the 1 1/16 miles on the firm turf was 1:43, and the Barclay Tagg trainee paid $5.20, $3.20 and $2.60, while spearheading the $76 exacta, $484.20 trifecta and $2,584.60 superfecta (3-8-11-13). "I had a beautiful, perfect trip," Castellano said. "It was the dream trip to have. She is getting better and better, and she is a more mature filly and I think she is improving a lot each race." Ciao was well back in the opening stages, circled 10-wide approaching the final turn and finished strongly while 1 1/2 lengths clear of her nearest foe. The nearly 16-1 eighth choice was worth $12.40 and $8.60. Cat Charmer (Storm Cat) loomed a big threat between horses inside the final furlong but could manage no better than third while another length clear. Show was good for $5.20 for the 9-1 shot. Costume (GB) (Danehill) completed the superfecta as the 4-1 second choice and was followed by Long Approach (Broad Brush), Kiss with a Twist (Lemon Drop Kid), Bel Air Beauty (Smart Strike), Touch My Soul (Fr) (Tiger Hill), Gotta Have Her (Royal Academy), early leader Tensas Yucatan (Ide) and Lisa M (Banker's Gold). Bicoastal (Gone West), Dashes N Dots (Aptitude) and Katerbug (Pulpit) were withdrawn. Bit of Whimsy now sports a mark of 7-4-2-0, compiled by racing exclusively on the turf, and her $101,933 payday boosted her bankroll to $551,533. She didn't make her debut until April, finishing an encouraging second at Gulfstream Park, and she broke her maiden next time out at Aqueduct. Tagg stepped her up into graded stakes company in the Sands Point S. (G3), where she dead-heated for the victory with Rutherienne (Pulpit). Bit of Whimsy wound up a troubled fourth to Dreaming of Anna (Rahy) in the Virginia Oaks, and followed with a runner-up finish to Alexander Tango (Ire) in the Garden City S. (G1). Last out, the three-year-old closed with a rush to take the Queen Elizabeth II Invitational Challenge Cup S. (G1) at Keeneland. "She had to run a little harder this time than she did the last time (in the QEII) I think, but she pulled it off," Tagg said. "It looked like they were going to run by her right there at the eighth pole and she dug in again and kept right on running. I loved that. "She is going to Florida for the winter and I am not going to let her get too far away from me," he added. "I have a tentative plan for what I want to do next year and I will see how Florida fits into it, but I am not going to go crazy about Florida. I want to get her to the spring the best I can so we can have a good year with her." The winner was bred in Kentucky by Bonner Young and Joyce B. Rowand. Her dam, Kristi B (El Prado [Ire]), has also produced an unraced juvenile filly named Kristi with a K (Petionville), a yearling filly named Evening Chant (War Chant) and an unnamed weanling colt by Theatrical (Ire). Kristi B is a half-sister to Grade 1 winners Royal Mountain Inn (Vigors) and Miss Josh (Nasty and Bold), as well as multiple Grade 3 scorer Highland Springs (Lucy's Axe) and Grade 3 victress Highland Crystal (Raise a Man) -- all trained by Tagg.
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