Ghostzapper’s Goodnight Olive Upsets the Ballerina

[Wandering Eyes]

First Row Partners and Team Hanley's Goodnight Olive (f, 4, Ghostzapper–Salty Strike, by Smart Strike) made the jump to graded company with aplomb, powering home a 2 1/2-length winner of the GI Ballerina S. Saturday at Saratoga and earning an automatic berth in the GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint. The 5-1 shot was hustled to keep pace with the early speed, but settled in third as Travel Column (Frosted) took the field through fractions of :22.09 and :44.50. Goodnight Olive loomed a threat nearing the stretch and stormed past the pacesetter at midstretch before drawing away. She completed the seven furlongs in 1:21.40. Caramel Swirl (Union Rags) was second and Obligatory (Curlin) was third. Favored Ce Ce (Elusive Quality) never factored and checked in fifth.

Goodnight Olive, a $170,000 Fasig-Tipton October purchase, returned from seven months on the sidelines to romp to an 8 1/2-length maiden score in her second career start at Keeneland last October. She scored by nine lengths at Aqueduct Nov. 21, resurfaced to win a Belmont optional claimer by 5 1/2 lengths June 23 and kept the win streak going with a 3 3/4-length victory going 6 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga Aug. 7.

Lifetime Record: 6-5-1-0. O-First Row Partners & Team Hanley. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (KY). T-Chad Brown.

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