Gary Barber’s Galina Point kicked clear at the top of the stretch and never looked back en route to a smart score in Saturday’s $125,400 South Ocean Stakes, at Woodbine.
The victory in the 1 1/16-miles ‘Poly’ stake for Ontario-sired juvenile fillies marked the first added-money win for the bay daughter of Saffir-Celtic Craft.
Barber purchased Galina Point privately from trainer and co-owner Cary Brooks following an impressive 6 3/4-length maiden score on September 27 and transferred her to the care of trainer Mark Casse.
Last time out, in her first try for new connections, Galina Point put in a game effort to be second to Green Doctor when sprinting six furlongs in the Fanfreluche Stakes.
Stretching out to two turns for the first time in the South Ocean agreed with Galina Point as she battled with Del Cielo through splits of :25.52 and :50.74 with Reliably Royal, Ella’s Music, Just Coz and Take Back Ya Poils tightly packed behind them.
Galina Point, sent to post as the 3-5 choice with Patrick Husbands up, put away Del Cielo through the turn to emerge with a 1 ½-length lead at the top of the lane and stayed on strong for a 3/4-length win. Long shot Take Back Ya Poils (24-1) closed with conviction for place over Reserve Love. Galina Point covered 1 1/16-miles in 1:47.35.
Husbands noted the importance of an equipment change following the Fanfreluche effort.
“Last time (in the Fanfreluche) we had a perfect trip, but when we swinged for home and I set her down, she started lugging in,” said Husbands. “So, we came back and worked her and tried her with a different bit and she went straight and relaxed. Today, she ran like the same filly.”
Galina Point, bred in Ontario by Spring Farm, banked $75,000 in victory while improving her record to 2-2-0 from five starts.
She returned $3.30, $2.60 and $2.30, pairing with Take Back Ya Poils ($8.80, $5.80) for a $44 (7-6) exactor. A 7-6-11 (Reserve Love, $7.60 to show) triactor was worth $495.70, while a $1 Superfecta [7-6-11-1 (Just Coz)] came back $1,249.05. Shez a Masterpiece and Indiantown Sunrise were scratched.
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