Chocolate gelato delivers sweet victory in Frizette

Repole Stable's Chocolate gelato fought back resolutely You are my girl came out of the turn to win the $400,000 Frizette Stakes (G1) by a length on a sloppy track at Aqueduct race track October 2nd. The daughter of. won the victory Practical joke a place in the NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). Keeneland November 4th.

Ortiz patiently let Chocolate Gelato ride along the rail in the early stages as You're My Girl set the pace through the first fractions of :23.14 and :46.90. As the field came into the turn, Ortiz weaved through the horses and got around the outside of You're My Girl to take the lead early in the stretch. You're My Girl didn't miss the opportunity to be quietly overtaken and rallied again under Joel Rosario, but couldn't catch the leader. The final time in the Frizette over a mile was 1:38.57.

Pletcher said the Frizette gave him confidence that Chocolate Gelato would have no problems completing the Juvenile Fillies distance of 1 1/16 miles.

“She persevered and ran the mile really well. I liked the way it turned and you get the impression that it will have two turns within reach,” he said. “I think she arrived a little early and waited a bit. (You're My Girl) didn't give up; that's a nice filly. She fought back, so I was proud of our filly for sticking with it.” Wire. That was a nice field she beat.

Chocolate Gelato placed third in its debut on July 14th Saratoga Racetrack. In her second start on August 14, she won from start to finish by 8 1/2 lengths.

Pletcher said Saratoga's surface proved more challenging than expected during the first week of the meet.

“I don't think we expected the route to be so demanding. I don’t think a lot of our two-year-olds were as fit as we thought,” he said. “She is a perfect example of having improved greatly in her second start.”

Ortiz said the filly is still learning and took a lot away from the race.

“I had to work on her a little more aggressively, but she continued to respond and get the job done,” he said. “I was letting her do her thing and she was already moving, so I said, 'Okay, it's time to go,' and I didn't want to get in her way. I had a lot of trust in her. She’s a nice person.” That’s why I ride her with confidence. When I asked, she was there for me.

You're My Girl was making her second start in the Frizette after earning a 14-length debut win at Saratoga on September 2 for trainer John Terranova II and Rosario.

“It was her first time going long and she held on really well,” Rosario said. “She ran a huge race. For a second it looked like the horse was going to get away from me, but she came back and fought, so it was a good race for her that went long the first time.”

In addition to being a Breeders' Cup Challenge Race, the Frizette is also a points race for the 2023 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1). Chocolate Gelato received 10 points for the win, which was $5.30, $3.60 and $2.80 brought in. You're My Girl paid $4.40 and $3.60 while Leave no trace in the third he paid $4.10.

Terranova said he would see how she comes out of the race before speaking to owners Gatsas Stables, RA Hill Stable and Hidden Brook Farm about competing in the Breeders' Cup.

Chocolate Gelato is not in the running Candy ride Mare Special Treat, whose grandmother is multiple 1st and 2nd winner Daydreaming (AP Indy) and the mother of the Class 1 winner Introduce . Daydreaming is also a full sister to Vosburgh Stakes (G1) winner Girolamo and Grade 3 winner accelerator who finished second in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2).

Special Treat gave birth to a one-year-old filly Palace malice and gave birth to a filly Home work this year. She was bred back to Silver State, Claiborne Farm's first stallion.