Ginger punch romps in grade 1 ogden Phipps

Tag: Elephant Ginger

Ginger Punch, looking every bit a reigning champion, romped to a 7 3/4-length victory Saturday in the Grade 1, $300,000 Ogden Phipps Handicap for fillies and mares at Belmont Park.

She lost last year's Phipps by a neck, a pivotal race than triggered a run of four stakes wins in five starts, which carried her to an Eclipse Award.

There was no suspense in the stretch this time.

Rafael Bejarano had the 5-year-old Ginger Punch in perfect stalking position throughout. They were third in the early stages as Mistical Plan set the fractions with Cowgirls Don't Cry second.

At the top of the turn, the Phipps became a two-horse affair as Ginger Punch steadily edged closer to the leader.

Turning for home, Ginger Punch was in charge. With a furlong to run, she was all alone.

"She's getting better day by day." Bejarano said. "I tried to follow the speed. At the five-eighths, I wanted to get into position. By the three eighths, the race was done."