Gin Gin shakes up Oaks picture in Busanda

Jan 13, 2024 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

After a pair of losses in Kentucky Oaks (G1) qualifiers at Churchill Downs, Gin Gin broke through with her first stakes victory in Saturday’s $97,000 Busanda S. at Aqueduct. The 2.80-1 chance wore down the longshot pacesetter, Princess Mayfair, while 4-5 favorite Shimmering Allure was a distant third.

Trained by Brad Cox for the iconic Calumet Farm, Gin Gin arguably moved up on a muddy surface in the Busanda. Her prior stakes highlight was a runner-up effort in the Oct. 29 Rags to Riches S. at a sloppy Churchill, but over a fast track in the Golden Rod (G2) last out, she wound up fifth. In any event, her Busanda success flatters the impressive Golden Rod winner, Intricate.

Princess Mayfair, the outsider of the quintet at odds of 10-1, tried to maximize her upset chance as the speed of the small field. Going straight to the lead, she set steady fractions and began to get away from her nearest pursuer, Most of All. Although Shimmering Allure lay just a couple of lengths back in striking range, the favorite never got traction to improve position, and ended up dropping further behind.

Gin Gin was the only one able to reel in Princess Mayfair. Settled in a ground-saving third early by Trevor McCarthy, she angled out to take aim on the leader and gradually outstayed her down the lane. Princess Mayfair kept fighting for the duration of the 1 1/8-mile test, but Gin Gin edged away by one length in 1:53.51.

Cheers to team GIN GIN! @trevormmccarthy earns her 20 @KentuckyDerby Oaks points in the Busanda Stakes for @bradcoxracing! pic.twitter.com/hM9YO09aQI

— NYRA (🌳) (@TheNYRA) January 13, 2024

With the Busanda on her resume, Gin Gin added 20 more Oaks points for an overall total of 26, good for second on the leaderboard behind Breeders’ Cup champion Just F Y I. Princess Mayfair opened her Oaks account with 10 points for her gallant runner-up effort.

There was a nine-length gap back to a one-paced Shimmering Allure, whose third (six points) increased her Oaks tally to 13 points. Most of All retreated to fourth (four points), enhancing her total to six Oaks points. Class Act was a long-way last, but still took home two points for completing the course.

Gin Gin’s scorecard stands at 5-2-2-0, $182,508. The Kentucky-bred is by Hightail, a son of 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft (himself by Hall of Famer A.P. Indy). Gin Gin is out of the Hard Spun mare Before You Know It, who missed narrowly in the 2015 Top Flight H. (G3) over this same track and trip.

The Aqueduct Road to the Kentucky Oaks continues with the March 2 Busher S. and culminates with the Gazelle (G3).