Filly puts on her Game Face in Old Hat

Game Face was successful in her Old Hat stakes debut (Eleanor Gustafson/Horsephotos.com)

Elite Racing Company’s GAME FACE (Menifee) moved to the fore on the outside
turning for home and drew off to a convincing seven-length score in the $100,000
Old Hat S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. Trained by Todd Pletcher and
ridden by John Velazquez, the sophomore filly rated off the swift early pace
before moving four wide approaching the final turn, quickly taking over and
pouring it on under mild urging to the wire. The final time for 6 1/2
furlongs was 1:15 4/5, and the 3-1 second choice rewarded backers with mutuels
of $8.20, $4.40 and $4.

Melissa Jo (Fusaichi Pegasus) was rank along the inside just off the early
tempo but rallied well once clear in the final furlong, finishing 3 1/2 lengths
clear in the place spot. The nearly 11-1 runner-up returned $8.40 and $6.20
while completing the $34.60 exacta ($1). Longshot Orinoquia (Whywhywhy), who was
last after the opening quarter-mile, rallied well to garner show honors late at
121-1. The third-placer was worth $21.40 while capping the $895.20 trifecta
($1). The $6,759.50 superfecta ($1) (10-2-8-9) was attained with Cozy Mesa (Sky
Mesa) in fourth at 17-1. Indy’s Alexandra (Flatter) was next and followed by
Throbbin’ Heart (Smoke Glacken), 6-5 choice Lovely Isle (Double Honor), A Little
Gem (Yonaguska) and Elusive Lady (Van Nistelrooy). Cape Cod Lady (Yonaguksa) was
withdrawn.