Stephanie Van Minos/Tom Cooley
Blue Devil Racing Stable’s maiden Shot Gun Pennie led from gate to wire on her way to a 1 1/2-length score in the 33rd running of the $135,325 Lady Finger Stakes for New York-bred two-year-old fillies on Labor Day at Finger Lakes Casino and Racetrack.
One of five maidens in the field of seven fillies lined up for the six-furlong Lady Finger, Shot Gun Pennie had debuted at Saratoga on August 7 going five furlongs in the mud, but failed to hit the board as post time favorite after running greenly. Equipped with blinkers for her second start, the Carlos Martin-trained daughter of Speightstown was bet down to second choice at odds of 7-2 post time, behind heavy favorite Francis Paolangeli’s Wildcat’s Smile, an open-length Saratoga maiden-breaker at second asking on August 14 for Dominic Galluscio, and Charlton Baker-trained stablemate Millions in Motion (1-4).
Breaking from the outside post to navigate the six furlongs over a sloppy (sealed) track under John Grabowski, Shot Gun Pennie wasted no time in clearing the field, striding out to a one-length lead. While running a lightning fast first quarter-mile in 22.09 and a half in 46.40, the filly was tracked by One Smart Farrah and entry-mates Wildcat’s Smile and Millions in Motion.
Stephanie Van Minos/Tom Cooley
Wildcat’s Smile moved up into second to make a two-wide bid in the far turn. Although the favorite did not seriously threaten Shot Gun Pennie, she closed well enough in late stretch to erode a three-length lead. By the wire, however, Shot Gun Pennie was still 1 1/2 lengths clear for the win. The final time for the six furlongs was 1:13.65. One Smart Farrah raced evenly to finish third. [VIDEO]
Shot Gun Pennie’s maiden-breaking stakes score was a lucrative one, with the $81,195 winner’s share of the Lady Finger purse giving her $82,795 in lifetime earnings after two starts.
Bred by Sugar Maple Farm in Poughquag (now Vinery at Sugar Maple), Shot Gun Pennie is the third winner of four foals to start, all New York-breds, out of the stakes-winning and Grade 3-placed Eltish mare Shot Gun Favorite ($202,126). Her second foal, New York-bred Shot Gun Gal by Performing Magic is a $92,600 earner.
Dan Haydon acquired Shot Gun Favorite at the 2004 Keeneland November Breeding Stock sale for $170,000 from Eaton Sales (agent). She currently has a yearling filly by City Zip, a weanling colt by War Pass, and was bred this year to Discreet Cat.
Blue Devil purchased Shot Gun Pennie at the 2010 Fasig-Tipton New York Preferred Yearling sale for $100,000 from the consignment of Paramount Sales (agent).
