Skippy Hopscotches Tough GSR Diamond Field

Skippy skimmed the rail on the turn, and ran down moderate early fractions en route to a two-length victory Saturday, in the $500,000 GSR Diamond at California.

First Ransom’s Ecstasy and then Building Empires set a rather modest, moderate early pace for the opening half-mile.  The pace was mild enough that the late-running Skippy began her stretch run with about a half-mile remaining.  She started rolling on the rail, and reached full stride at the top of the lane.  The narrow 8.20-1 favorite took the lead a furlong out, and finished strong for what looked to be an easy win.  Pro Dubai, who worked her way through the field on the outside, got clear of the pacesetters too late to be second, while Assistant, rolling at the same time the winner was moving, belatedly got up for third.  Early pace-setter Building Empires, showing good tactical speed, alas faded to fourth.

Despite the patient early pace, the winning daughter of Afleet-Sally Roo, by Buckaroo, earned a speed figure of 91, running the mile in a splendid final time of 1:36 2/5.  She earned $300,000 for the stables of scout4, who now has two things to crow about: Skippy is not only the Breeders Bowl Juvenile Filly favorite, but she’s the top dirt two-year-old filly in the classic and long divisions.  It is largely expected that this promising young lass will train up to next month’s Breeders Bowl event, October 29, or week 2657, over the sweeping surface in New York.