© 2014 Hoofprints, Inc.
Owner/trainer Rodolfo Romero’s Galiana, a 4-year-old daughter of Stonesider (Saratoga Stud, LLC), once again proved her affinity for Delaware Park on Saturday afternoon – whether the going be fast, good or sloppy – by recording her second consecutive victory in the $75,000 Tax-Free Shopping Distaff by eight-plus lengths.
Galiana came into the Tax-Free Shopping Distaff with a record of five wins from six career starts at Delaware Park, including her debut maiden breaker over off going in her first start in June 2013. She went on to win last year’s Tax-Free Shopping Distaff and, in June and July of this year, the Dashing Beauty Stakes and Sweet and Sassy Stakes. Galiana could also boast four wins from six starts at the six furlong distance of Saturday’s contest and four of five tallies over Saturday’s off conditions. The filly was partnered for the first time with apprentice rider Michael Ritvo, who moved his tack from Gulfstream Park to the mid-Atlantic last week and recorded a victory on his first mount in Maryland on Friday afternoon.
Up close to the pace in third in the early stages of the race, Galiana took over the top spot entering the far turn. After a half mile in 46.09 and firmly in command, the filly just kept improving her position, opening up on the competition first by five lengths before going on to win by 8 1/2. She stopped the clock after six furlongs over the sloppy (sealed) going at 1:11.03.
Galiana, who improved her career record to nine wins, one second and two thirds from 19 starts and boosted her earnings to a robust $345,446, was bred by John T. Behrendt and Charles Marquis and foaled at Anne Morgan and Tim Little’s Mill Creek Farm in Stillwater. Galiana is the only North American winner to date out of Baby Jess, an unraced Argentinian-bred daughter of Interprete (ARG).
