Adam Mooshian Photo

American Gal Passes with Flying Colors to win G1 Test

by Anthony Affrunti

It was matchup between 10 3 year-old fillies from different levels, paths and American coasts, but when the gates opened to begin the running of the Grade 1 $500,000 Longines Test, it was Kahleem Shah’s American Gal who passed the front runners on the outside to win by four lengths on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.

Off of a four-wide stalking trip down the backside, the daughter of Concord Point sat fourth as Chalon set the pace along the rail through quick fractions of 22.42 seconds for the first quarter and 44.53 for the half-mile, being chased by Vertical Oak and Faypien to her outside.

Jockey Jose Ortiz piloted American Gal alongside, and turned for home before three quarters in 1:09.04. Through the stretch it looked as if the race was for the taking among the quartet across the track, but American Gal kicked in late and drew off to the wire, completing seven furlongs in 1:22.26.

Faypien settled for second over Tequilita as pace-setter Chalon held fourth.

“She finished very well, Ortiz said. “I just wanted to get a clean break and I got it. We found some room very well. She was impressive for me today.”

American Gal, a formerly trained by Bob Baffert, made her second start for trainer Simon Callaghan after being transferred to his care in December. She is now perfect through two starts for Callaghan after winning the Grade 3 Victory Ride at Belmont Park.

“We knew she was sitting on a big performance, Callaghan said. “She came into this race so good after her last race, and for once the race went perfectly to plan. She got a great trip and she dominated today. I think cutting her back to seven-eighths is her optimal distance. We’ll take her back to California and think about the Breeders’ Cup and which way to go about but we’ll just enjoy today.

“I have to think seven-eighths is such a good distance for her. A mile she she’s still very good but at the back of my mind seven-eighths is where she’s going to be spectacular.”

American Gal, off at 2-1, paid $6.30 for a $2 wager.

Faypien, the favorite, shipped in for her fifth career start, debuting on the east coast for trainer Bob Baffert after capturing three out of four at Santa Anita. The filly by Ghostzapper found herself with a fighting chance in the stretch run under Rafael Bejarano, but the winner of the Grade 2 Summer Oaks couldn’t match the winner to her outside.

“The trip was good,” Bejarano said. “I had a good one; a clean break from the from the gate. I was really comfortable in the break. The winner today was much the best. She’s been performing really well so far. She’s been training good. It’s just a different track today. There was a lot of pressure from the outside. I had to keep going to keep my position. She tried every step in the race. She gave everything.”

Vertical Oak, Your Love, Devine Miss Grey, Chanel’s Legacy, Minnie Blip and Cursor completed the finish.