Gina Romantica a decisive QEII Cup (G1) winner for Into Mischief
October 15, 2022
Gina Romantica powers to victory in the 2022 QE II Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland – Coady photography
Gina Romantica split horses with a furlong to run en route to a two-length win in Saturday’s $600,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1).
The 3-year-old filly is Into Mischief’s third Grade 1 winner this year. He has 14 graded winners and 23 black type winners overall in 2022. His progeny earnings stand at $22,418,111, less than $2 million from his record-setting season in 2021.
Since switching to the turf three starts ago, Gina Romantica has a pair of stakes wins and a close second. Her overall record is 4-1-0 in seven starts, with earnings of $553,540 for Peter Brant.
The bay filly broke sharply in Saturday’s 1 1/8-mile turf contest before settling in fourth about four lengths from the lead. Paris Peacock (IRE) led the field through six furlongs in 1:12.83 before fellow Irish-bred Bellabel took control turning for home. Gina Romantica split those two in mid-stretch and pulled away late to stop the timer in 1:48.20 on a firm turf course.
“She caught a clean break and I thought Flavien (Prat) rode a terrific race. She proved she can get the extra distance and step up with top-class fillies,” said winning trainer Chad Brown “I want to thank Liz Crow and her team for picking the horse out. She was born and raised locally, right here in Lexington at Machmer Hall, and she’s a Keeneland graduate.”
Brown was referring to the 2021 Keeneland September sale, when Gina Romantica brought $1.025 million from Crow on behalf of Brant.
Gina Romantica is one of four graded winners out of Special Me, a group that includes Special Forces, Stonetastic, and millionaire Grade 1 winner Gift Box. Special Me foaled an Into Mischief colt this year.