Gimma field unable to reel in Cartwheelin Lulu

By Sarah Mace

Roddy Valente’s Cartwheelin Lulu, a juvenile filly by Bustin Stones Valente co-bred with Dr. Jerry Bilinski, may have been somewhat overlooked in the betting in Wednesday’s $150,000 Joseph A. Gimma Stakes for New York-breds at Belmont Park, but under an expertly-executed ride by Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez she became the contest’s main event from start to finish.

Unveiled on August 16 at Finger Lakes, Cartwheelin Lulu dominated seven male rivals with a 4-length victory going 5 1/2 furlongs. She came into the Gimma in sharp form, capping three interim drills with a 4-furlong bullet move in :46 3/5 on September 15 in Farmington.

Sent off at 7-1 odds to face winners for the first time from the outside post of seven, Cartwheelin Lulu was, as it happened, one of a trio of uncoupled stablemates trained by Jeremiah Englehart. All seven fillies were stretching out to seven furlongs for the first time.

After showing good gate speed, Cartwheelin Lulu secured a 3/4-length lead and – most to the point – managed to cross over from her outside post to settle 2-wide. In the early stages Party Like Grandma, winner of the Seeking the Ante Stakes on Saratoga Showcase Day, kept close to the pace on the inside.

Following a quarter-mile in a solid 23.17, Cartwheelin Lulu was firmly ensconced at the rail as the field entered the turn. She was able to make the most of her position when Party Like Grandma, She’s Trouble and Ma Meatloaf ganged up on her midway around the bend to make it four across the track.

Cornering like a pro, Cartwheelin Lulu spurted away again in upper stretch, but now a group of closers were on the move. The trio never posed a serious threat, though, leaving Velazquez and his mount to cruise under the wire first by 1 1/2-lengths under a drive.

The next three horses across the line had to be separated by a photo. More Mischief (4-1), who barreled down the middle of the track from the rear of the group, finished second, a nose in front of 5-2 favorite Elegant Zip at the rail. A head back, between horses, She’s Troubled finished fourth. Completing the order of finish were Party Like Grandma, Maiden Beauty and Ma Meatloaf.  After splits of 47.22 and 1:11.39, the final time for seven furlongs over the fast track was 1:23.71. [VIDEO REPLAY[3]]

“I was really happy to see one of [my] fillies win,” said Jeremiah Englehart. “Obviously, I’m a little disappointed that the other two fillies [Party Like Grandma (post 5) and Ma Meatloaf (post 6)] looked like they were sitting in good positions.”

Englehart went on to praise Velazquez’ ride. “I thought Johnny did a really nice job being aggressive and getting the lead. My plan with Party Like Grandma was that I was a little worried about the distance with her so I kind of wanted to stay off the pace a little bit and maybe that didn’t work out for the best.”

Velazquez’ decision-making also took Party Like Grandma into account. “I knew [Party Like Grandma] … had some speed, so [I] wanted to see what she was going to do inside of me. When I saw she didn’t [go] I just dropped in front and [Cartwheelin Lulu] relaxed up there for me.”

Englehart envisions a start in the $250,000 Maid of the Mist for 2-year-old New York-bred fillies at a mile on Empire Showcase Day, October 20 as a “natural progression” for Cartwheeling Lulu, provided all is in good order after the Gimma. He also added a few details about the filly’s development.

“This filly has been a little bit of a late bloomer as far as running early. When we got a lot of the 2-year-olds in, she was just working OK, but as she got closer to her first race, she was working a little more aggressive. I didn’t think the boys at Finger Lakes were all that tough, so we ran her against the boys there, and she’s matured nice since the year’s gone on.”

Cartwheelin Lulu’s dam Repreive is a Kentucky-bred mare by Successful Appeal, who won five races and earned more than $160,000 primarily routing. Given Cartwheelin Lulu’s sire Bustin Stones’ prowess as a sprinter, the mare’s influence and the filly’s ability to stay seven furlongs was a pleasant surprise to both trainer and jockey, while not unexpected by her breeder.

Said Englehart, “Roddy [Valente] was very confident in the breeding that she would stretch out a little bit. Bustin Stones, he’s just a nice, hard-knocking horse, and with the mare [Reprieve], it’s just the right combination. He was right; he felt like she should handle the distance and maybe even go to a mile, and I’m really glad she did.”

Velazquez added, “[Cartwheelin Lulu]’s a big filly and she even galloped out pretty strong which really surprised me so maybe she’s capable enough to outrun her pedigree [in distance].”

Cartwheelin Lulu, perfect after two starts, has earned $93,900

Repreive has produced three winners from three foals to start and has been bred exclusively to Bustin Stones, who stands at Bilinski’s Waldorf Farm[4] in North Chatham for a $5,000 stud fee and currently sits at number eight in the state sire rankings. She has produced five foals, all fillies, was without issue this year, and has been bred back to the same sire.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2018/09/19/gimma-cartwheelin-lulu/

---