Into Mischief’s Gina Romantica strikes again in First Lady S. (G1)
October 7, 2023
Gina Romantica and Tyler Gaffalione win the 2023 First Lady S. (G1) at Keeneland – Mary Ellet/Coady photo
Gina Romantica, who won the QEII Cup (G1) nearly a year ago at Keeneland, returned to the Kentucky track Saturday and won the $700,000 First Lady S. (G1) for her second career Grade 1 win.
The 4-year-old Into Mischief filly became racing’s newest millionaire with the win and was one of three graded stakes winners on the day for her sire, who is seeking his Gina Romantica, who won the QEII Cup (G1) nearly a year ago at Keeneland, returned to the Kentucky track Saturday and won the $700Gina Romantica, who won the QEII Cup (G1) nearly a year ago at Keeneland, returned to the Kentucky track Saturday and won the $700,000 First Lady S. (G1),000 First Lady S. (G1)fifth straight title as the leading sire in North America.
Gina Romantica settled along the fence several lengths off the pace set by her stablemate In Italian (GB). She held her spot for six furlongs before swinging four-wide for the stretch run. Gina Romantica eventually collared In Italian inside the final furlong and bested her foe by a head in 1;33.70 for the mile on the firm turf.
Her Beyer Speed Figure of 105 was a career best.
“She broke good. She traveled so great throughout,” winning rider Tyler Gaffalione said. “I didn’t have to take too much of a hold. She was very comfortable where she was. Coming into the stretch, once I found room toward the outside, she really exploded, finished her job really well.”
The winner is owned by Peter Brant and is 5-2-0 in 10 starts and has earned $1,108,603.
Gina Romantica was bred by Machmer Hall and Carrie & Craig Brogden. She sold for $1,025,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling sale. Her dam Special Me has also produced graded winners Special Forces, Gift Box, and Stonetastic.