Red Carpet Ready stays perfect in Forward Gal
Feb 04, 2023
Ashbrook Farm and Upland Flats Racing’s Red Carpet Ready
strutted her stuff in Saturday’s $125,000 Forward Gal (G3) at Gulfstream Park, extending
her record to a perfect 3-for-3. The Rusty Arnold trainee, who romped in her
first two starts at Churchill Downs, is now on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks
with 20 points to her credit.
A well-named daughter of Oscar Performance, Red Carpet Ready
didn’t break cleanly, but immediately recovered to attend the pace in the
seven-furlong affair. Arella Star grabbed the early lead under fierce pressure
from Twice as Sweet, who soon put her head in front.
On the far turn, Red Carpet Ready was already looming as a
threat with jockey Luis Saez, and the 2.30-1 second choice put the race away in a few strides.
Undervalued Asset tried to cover her move, but found herself outkicked. Red
Carpet Ready bounded 2 1/4 lengths clear in a final time of 1:23.54.
Undervalued Asset held second, earning eight points toward
the Oaks in her stakes debut. Atomically, the slight favorite at 2.20-1, was in
a tough spot after a slow start, but she rallied well for third (six points).
Another 7 3/4 lengths astern in fourth came Positano Sunset (four points), and
Apropos picked up two points in fifth. Flakes, Twice as Sweet, Arella Star, and
Adeliese’s Smile concluded the order of finish. Lynx was scratched.
Red Carpet Ready has bankrolled $265,470. The dark bay
debuted on the first “Stars of Tomorrow” card on Oct. 30, going wire-to-wire by
10 lengths in the slop as a nearly 37-1 longshot. But she proved that was no
fluke when coming right back to win the Nov. 26 Fern Creek S. on the second “Stars
of Tomorrow” program. This time on a fast track beneath the Twin Spires, Red
Carpet Ready stalked and pounced to a 3 1/4-length decision.
Bred by Lynn B. Schiff in Kentucky, Red Carpet Ready is out
of Wild Silk, a mare by 2007 Kentucky Derby (G1) champion Street Sense. Wild
Silk is a half-sister to Grade 1 victor Joking, from the family of Pulpit, Fed
Biz, Tale of the Cat, and transatlantic champion Johannesburg.
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