Mizz Money held off a stiff challenge in deep stretch and outgamed 76-1 longshot Vielsalm for a head victory in the Stella Artois Gallorette Handicap (gr. IIIT) on the May 21 Preakness Stakes undercard at Pimlico Race Course. Video: Gallorette H. (G3T)
Ridden by Javier Castellano, the gray 4-year-old daughter of Mizzen Mast stalked the pedestrian pace of Josdesanimaux throughout, with six furlongs completed in 1:15.13. With the field closely bunched, Castellano set his mount down in mid-stretch and the filly gamely continued her momentum while pressed by Vielsalm and Heath, completing the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.93 over a turf course rated good.
Trained by Bernie Flint for L. T. B. Inc. and Hillerich Racing, Mizz Money paid $11.80, $6.60, and $4.60, with Vielsalm paying $51.20 and $17.00. Heath finished a nose behind the runner-up and paid $4.40.
The victory was the fifth in 13 starts for Mizz Money, who was coming off a March 26 New Orleans Ladies Stakes win over a good turf course at Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots. Produced from the Grand Slam mare Abbeyville Miss, Mizz Money was bred in Kentucky by Flint and her co-owners.
In five starts this year, Mizz Money finished second in the Mari G. Krantz Memorial and Daisy Devine Stakes and third in the Mardi Gras Stakes, all at Fair Grounds. She also won the Pucker Up Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Arlington International last year.
“What a hard-fought race,” Flint said. My heart was pounding all the way through the stretch and everybody took shots at her, but she was best today. This is special because we bred her and it’s like having one of your children go out and succeed.”
“We were really going slow early,” Castellano said. “I liked the way she did it today. At the top of the stretch, she gained a little bit. When she saw the other horses coming, she took off again. When she did that she showed me a lot of heart.”