6th-Tampa Bay Downs, $32,000, Msw, 3-12, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:11.35, gd, 1 1/4 lengths.
GINA ROMANTICA (f, 3, Into Mischief–Special Me, by Unbridled's Song) left the gates as a heavy 4-5 favorite in this debut for powerhouse connections. Rating from seventh early on, the $1.025 million KEESEP purchase watched the pack in front jostle for position down the backstretch and through the final turn. Called on for her rally coming into the lane from the far outside, Gina Romantica swooped by her rivals under a confident ride to win by 1 1/4 lengths over Spiked (Unified). Out of Special Me, the pretty bay claims several talented siblings including Stonetastic (Mizzen Mast), MGSW & GISP, $856,062, who was bred back to Gun Runner after producing a filly by him last year; new Lane's End stallion Gift Box (Twirling Candy), GISW, $1,127,060; and Special Forces (Candy Ride {Arg}), MGSW-Can, SP-USA, $409,147. Gina Romantica is the first seven-figure sale for the small, but mighty blue hen Special Me. However, the mare's year-older filly named Meir Point (Medaglia d'Oro) brought $500,000 from Larry Best as a weanling at the FTKNOV sale. Special Me aborted her 2020 Quality Road foal and her 2021 Curlin filly died. The mare is expecting a full-sibling to Gina Romantica this season. Sales history: $1,025,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $18,240. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-Peter M. Brant; B-Machmer Hall, Carrie & Craig Brogden (KY); T-Chad C. Brown.
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