Tobey Morton's Pacific Gale, winless in 17 consecutive starts dating back more than two years, swept to the lead in mid-stretch and pulled clear to spring a 16-1 upset of Saturday's $200,000 Inside Information (G2) at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.
The 42nd running of the Inside Information for fillies and mares 4 and older was among seven graded-stakes worth $4.725 million on a blockbuster 12-race Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series program featuring the $3-million Pegasus World Cup (G1) at 1 1/8 miles on dirt and $1-million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) at 1 3/16 miles on the grass.
Ridden by Hall of Famer John Velazquez for trainer John Kimmel, Pacific Gale ($34.20) sprinted seven furlongs in 1:22.60 over a fast main track to earn her second career stakes victory, first in graded company, and first of any kind since an Oct. 4, 2018 optional claiming allowance triumph at Belmont Park.
Velazquez settled Pacific Gale in fifth between Bronx Beauty along the rail and Sound Machine to her outside as 2-1 favorite Cinnabunny and Thissmytime dueled through a quarter-mile in 22.45 seconds and a half in 45.13. Room opened for Pacific Gale to get through leaving the far turn and the 6-year-old Flat Out mare accelerated past her rivals to win by 2 ¾ lengths.
Thissmytime dug in to finish second, a length ahead of late-running Piedi Bianchi. It was another length back to Cinnabunny in fourth, followed by Dream Marie, Bronx Beauty, Sally's Curlin and Sound Machine.
$200,000 Inside Information (G2) Quotes
Trainer John Kimmel, (Pacific Gale): “It's a really emotional time, actually. Mr. Morton, he's my primary owner, he passed away last month and they just loved this filly. Tobey has now taken over. We've kind of talked about this filly. She was kind of earmarked to go to Not This Time, and I told her this filly is training better than I've ever seen her train up at Palm Meadows. She's dappled out and she's just come to herself and I was just very optimistic about her today. Even though she's oh-fer the last two years, just to see her fire like you've never seen her fire was just a tremendous accomplishment for a filly that's been a bridesmaid against some top quality horses. To see her get her due diligence here today is just really, really special.”
“I'm sure he's looking down and I hope he had a big bet. He loved to bet on his horses and it's a very generous price she has on the board. My congratulations to Tobey. I know it's a difficult time but hopefully this filly can put a smile on her face.”
Jockey John Velazquez (Pacific Gale): “Finally! I always try to keep her covered up and make one run with her. Today was the day. I kept her covered up and when we passed the quarter pole and got to the three-sixteenths pole I got out and she responded right away. It set up the way we wanted to.”
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