Saturday, September 27, 2008

COCOA BEACH ENDS GINGER PUNCH’S STREAK

By Francis LaBelle Jr.

Godolphin Stable’s Cocoa Beach has raced in her native Chile and in the Mideast, but apparently, she has found a home in New York.

Fresh off a dominant win at Saratoga Race Course on August 29, the 4-year-old Doneraile Court filly collared defending Eclipse champion handicap mare Ginger Punch Saturday afternoon and went on to a half-length victory in 70th running of the Grade 1, $600,000 Beldame Stakes for fillies and mares at nine furlongs.

The threat of serious rain cancelled racing at Belmont Park on Friday, and the main track opened on Saturday as “muddy/sealed.” By post time for the Beldame at 3:40 p.m., the track was sloppy, and the scratch of Unbridled Belle left the Beldame with a field of four.


And Ginger Punch, looking for her fifth straight victory and fourth straight Grade 1 win, was the 1-2 crowd favorite.

Ginger Punch broke alertly under jockey Rafael Bejarano, who put her well off the rail and let her set fractions of 24.61. 48.18 and 1:12.76. Lemon Drop Mom pressed early, and Ginger Punch began to pull away.

Cocoa Beach, ridden by Ramon Dominguez, lingered at the back of the field, but gradually moved to within three lengths of the leader as they turned for home. When Lemon Drop Mom backed off, Cocoa Beach came with an outside rally as Ginger Punch came closer to the rail .

The fought to the wire, and Cocoa Beach prevailed in 1:49.50. She returned $7.10 to win.

“She’s grown up a lot since she ran earlier in the year in Dubai,” said winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor. “She looked stronger than ever and she has learned a lot from her last race at Saratoga. She was really happy. The target now is the Breeders’ Cup (Ladies Classic, October 24, Santa Anita).

“I had a good feeling coming into the race (that we could beat Ginger Punch). The last race really set her up and she’s really grown.”

Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel said that Ginger Punch again proved her mettle, but could not overcome the inside post and track condition.

“It was the 1-hole; she had no choice but to do what she did,” Frankel said. “I don’t think that is her favorite way of running. I don’t think the inside was the best part. I would have loved to have been on the outside. That was all I was worried about.”

Lemon Drop Mom was 13 ½ lengths back and Leah’s Secret was last.


BELDAME QUOTES

Winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor of Cocoa Beach (CHI) (No. 3): “She’s grown up a lot since she ran earlier in the year in Dubai. She looked stronger than ever and she has learned a lot from her last race at Saratoga. She was really happy. The target now is the Breeders’ Cup (Ladies Classic, October 24, Santa Anita).

“I had a good feeling coming into the race (we could beat Ginger Punch). The last race really set her up and she’s really grown.”

Winning jockey Ramon Dominguez: “This race, she broke a lot sharper than she did in Saratoga. She held her own, and she can pick it up on her own. She definitely did and proved she is capable. This is only her second race in this country and she’s moving forward.”

Bobby Frankel, trainer of beaten favorite and runner-up Ginger Punch (No. 1): “It was the 1-hole; she had now choice but to do what she did. I don’t think that is her favorite way of running. I don’t think the inside was the best part. I would have loved to have been on the outside. That was all I was worried about.”

Rafael Bejarano, jockey of Ginger Punch: “I was sitting in the lead and was so comfortable. We went in 24, 48 and 1:12, which is very comfortable for my horse. When we came to the turn, I saw (Cocoa Beach) was coming. I was afraid to let her go. When we got to the eighth-pole, she was getting tired a little bit. I think the track made her tired, too.”

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