In her first start of the season and first for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, Randall Lowe's Lady Shipman was a comfortable winner of the $75,000 Ladies Turf Sprint at Gulfstream Park.
Video: Ladies' Turf Sprint S. (BT)
Runner-up in the Oct. 31 TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IT) at Keeneland at the end of 2015 when still trained by Kathleen O'Connell for her breeder's Ranlo Investments, the 4-year-old Midshipman filly raced again Feb. 6 and finished five furlongs in :58.14 on turf rated firm under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. She was moved to McLaughlin's barn to point toward the March 26 Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-I) at Meydan.
"It would be against the boys, like the Breeders' Cup, but she has proven she can do that," McLaughlin said. "She's a very talented filly."
Lady Shipman won six stakes in 2015 and only missed the Turf Sprint by a neck, and her record stands at 9-2-2 from 13 starts. She paid $2.40, $2.10. and $2.10 in the Ladies Turf Sprint as the overwhelming favorite against seven rivals. Katie's Kiss was second by 2 3/4 lengths ($7, $3.40), and Jewel of a Cat finished third after prompting the winner ($2.40).
Bred in Kentucky out of the Mutakddim mare Sumthingtotalkabt, Lady Shipman was a $35,000 RNA at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. 2014 spring sale of 2-year-olds in training when consigned by Pleasant Acres Farm. She has won $583,905.
