ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 2, 2009) – Improving filly Irish Gypsy provided Garrett Gomez, the nation’s leading money-winning jockey the last three years, with his first win of the young Oak Tree meeting on Friday when posting a 5-1 upset in the featured $45,400 allowance event for fillies and mares at 6 ½ furlongs.

Irish Gypsy rallied from next-to-last in the field of six to overtake pace-setter Sleep Tight and score by one length while the latter nosed out 11-10 choice Mona de Momma for the place. The final time was 1:16.37.

A daughter of Hennessy trained by Bob Baffert for Mike Pegram and Hill n Dale Equine Holdings, Irish Gypsy was ridden for the first time by Gomez, who had been winless with his first six mounts at the meet that opened Wednesday.

The winner paid $12.40, $6 and $2.80. Sleep Tight, handled by Michael Baze, returned $7.20 and $3.20. Mona de Momma, with Rafael Bejarano aboard, paid $2.40 to show.

Purchased for $120,000 as a yearling, the 3-year-old Irish Gypsy, a Kentucky-bred who is out of the Relaunch mare Rayelle, gained her third win in her last six races while bringing her overall record to 3-1-1 in eight starts. The winning purse of $27,000 elevated her earnings to $108,940.

On Saturday, Oak Tree presents the 20th California Cup racing extravaganza with nine stakes races restricted to Cal-breds and headed by the $200,000 Cal Cup Classic with Grazen established as the even-money favorite. Nick Alexander’s roan homebred has captured 4 of 5 starts this year’s including Hollywood Park’s Grade III Affirmed Handicap.

All Cal Cup attendees will receive a free Cal Cup t-shirt with paid General Admission. First post for the 10-race program is 12 noon.