Proper Gamble Upsets Forest Heiress in Cicada Stakes

Proper Gamble rallied to beat Short Note by 2 3/4 lengths in Saturday's 10th running of the $108,600 Cicada Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct. Forest Heiress, the favorite, was a head back in third place in the six-horse field.

Proper Gamble, ridden by Javier Castellano, carried highweight of 122 pounds and covered the seven furlongs in 1:23.32 on the fast track.

"The pace was so fast today. I wanted to take a hold of my filly and come with one run," said Castellano. "We had a good trip. She's a good filly."

Forest Heiress set the fast fractions (:22.25 and :44.97) while pressed by Short Note, then tired to finish third as Proper Gamble rallied in the stretch.

Proper Gamble earned her second win in three starts in 2002 and $65,160 for Stoneway Farm. Last time out, she won the listed Dearly Precious Stakes on Aqueduct's inner dirt course.

"Whenever she's been on her A-game going into a race, she's won," said John Hassett, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher. "The few times she got beat, I kind of felt it was my fault. When the circumstances have been right, she's won. Sure, the fractions helped today. Javier (Castellano) rode a clever race. We'll see how she comes out of this and where Todd wants her to run next."

Proper Gamble returned $7.40, $4.60, and $2.10. Short Note paid $12.20 and $2.10 and completed the $68.50 exacta. Forest Heiress paid $2.10 to show. Two Times a Lady, Haunted Lass, and Mrscoppolaskithcen completed the order of finish.

Proper Gamble (Prospectors Gamble -- Bare It Properly, by Proper Reality) sold for $20,000 as a weanling and $80,000 as a yearling. (Chart, Equibase)