Gal in a Rush Surges to Presque Isle Masters Victory

A year after his father Christophe Clement won the Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (G2) with Roses for Debra, trainer Miguel Clement earned the top prize with West Point Thoroughbreds, Chris Larsen, and Titletown Racing Stables' Gal in a Rush Sept. 19 at Presque Isle Downs. The 6 1/2-furlong race on Presque Isle's synthetic main track carried a purse of $301,000 and drew an overflow field of 12 fillies and mares plus one also-eligible. Miguel Clement has been training Gal in a Rush, a 6-year-old Ghostzapper mare, since his father's death in late May. The late-running mare and rider Joel Rosario finished third in the local prep for the Masters, the Aug. 18 Satin and Lace Stakes. With Rosario on board again Friday night, Gal in a Rush was ninth early in traffic as the leaders cut fractions of :22.18 and :44.26. Looking for room turning for home, Rosario guided his mount to the inside, where she steadily advanced, eventually emerging on the lead late along the rail. Several paths to her outside, Tricky Temper was trying to hold off a wide rush from favored Ellen Jay. Gal in a Rush had the momentum and won by a length, with Ellen Jay gamely nipping Tricky Temper by a nose for the place. The winner paid $22.60 for a $2 wager. Her time for 6 1/2 furlongs was 1:14.45. It was the second graded win for Gal in a Rush, who has won five of 24 starts and earned $661,257.