LEXINGTON, Ky. — Gina Romantica appears to love the Keeneland turf course as much as In Italian, the odds-on favored stablemate she out-gamed by a head to win Saturday’s $750,000 First Lady (G1).
When last seen locally, Gina Romantica had prevailed in a mild upset over another heavily favored Chad Brown stablemate, McKulick, in last year’s Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1). However, Gina Romantica did not race again until June, and was sent off at more than 11-1 in the First Lady after running fourth in the Eatontown (G3) and second in the Beverly D. (G1) in her two starts this term.
The speedy In Italian left the gate at approximate odds of 2-5, seeking to retain her title in the First Lady. Since winning the one-mile test last October, the chestnut had won the Jenny Wiley (G1) at Keeneland in April as well as the Just a Game (G1) at Belmont, though she was nosed out by stable companion Whitebeam over nine panels in the Diana (G1) last time.
In Italian nearly made all after setting an honest pace of :23.40, :46.80, and 1:10.12 over the firm ground, but was reeled in late by Gina Romantica, who was ridden by Tyler Gaffalione. Gina Romantica finished up in a quick 1:33.70 over the firm going.
“She traveled so great throughout,” Gaffalione said “I didn’t have to take too much of a hold. She was very comfortable where she was. Coming into the stretch, once I found room toward the outside, she really exploded – finished her job really well.”
Owned by Peter Brant, Gina Romantica returned $25.02. In Italian had a 3 3/4-length margin over 20-1 chance Evvie Jets, who was followed by Whitebeam, Gam’s Mission, Jumbly, New Year’s Eve, and Thisnameisokay.
The four-year-old Gina Romantica has now won five of 10 starts. In addition to her two top-level wins, she earned her first bit of a black type winning the restricted Riskaverse S. at Saratoga last season.
Bred in Kentucky by Machmer Hall, Carrie Brogden, and Craig Brogden, Gina Romantica sold for $1.025 million at Keeneland September. The daughter of Into Mischief has now earned more than $1.1 million.
Produced by the Unbridled’s Song mare Special Me, Gina Romantica is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Gift Box and Grade 2 winners Stonetastic and Special Forces.
Arzak, whose three previous stakes wins had come over synthetic tracks at Woodbine and Presque Isle Downs, hit a new career peak with a convincing two-length triumph in the $337,875 Woodford (G2) over 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf.
Sent away at more than 11-1, Arzak benefited from a perfect stalking trip as recent Nunthorpe (G1) winner Live In the Dream and Foxtrotanna dueled through eye-popping splits of :20.97 and :43:67. Arzak shot past a tiring Live In the Dream inside the final furlong and won for fun under Joel Rosario. The final time was 1:01.65.
Owned by Sonata Stable and trained by Michael Trombetta, Arzak returned $25.66.
Our Shot and Beer Can Man closed into the hot pace to finish second and third, respectively, separated by a nose. Live In the Dream faded to fourth as the 3.59-1 favorite and was followed by Bad Beat Brian, Let My People Go, Olympic Runner, Coppola, Kaufymaker, Kavod, Eye Witness, and Foxtrotanna.
Arzak has now won seven of 23 starts. His previous stakes victories had been in the 2021 Tom Ridge S. at Presque Isle and the 2022 Thorncliffe S. and Jacques Cartier (G3) at Woodbine.
The five-year-old is by Not This Time and out of Delightful Melody, a daughter of Tapit and multiple Grade 2 winner Bending Strings. Arzak was bred in Kentucky by John Oxley and last sold at auction for $550,000 as an OBS April juvenile.
