Calumet Farm’s Kentucky homebred Gin Gin went right to the front and then held off Nitrogen by a head to win the 70th running of the $650,000 Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. Reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna finished fourth. With the victory, Gin Gin earned a fees-paid berth into the starting gate for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) on Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
Winner of the Doubledogdare (G3) during the Spring Meet in her lone previous Keeneland start, the bay filly led the field of five through fractions of :23.74 and :46.69 with Thorpedo Anna just to her outside. Heading into the far turn, Nitrogen ranged up three wide to move into second as Thorpedo Anna began to retreat. Gin Gin maintained her advantage into the stretch running next to the rail and had enough to hold off a final bid from Nitrogen.Trained by Brendan Walsh and ridden by Luis Saez, the winner completed the 1 1/8 miles on the fast main track in 1:49.77.
“I just tried to keep her comfortable,” said Saez. “I knew we were rolling pretty fast, and we had pressure the whole way. But this filly loves the pressure.”
The Spinster winner is a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Hightail out of the Hard Spun mare Before You Know. She owns a career mark of 13-4-3-2 with earnings of $942,796.
“It’s great because she was in great order in the spring when she won the Doubledogdare, and we felt she went a little downwards on us after that. We brought her up to Saratoga and got her back up and right. And when she came back here, I couldn’t believe how well she did, how good she looked, and everything. When she’s on song she’s actually a very, very good filly.”