Illinois trainer John Wainwright’s Rattlin Gypsy wins Claiming Crown Glass Slipper Stakes at Fair Grounds
By Graham Ross and Jeff Maday of Fair Grounds Race Course
Fair Grounds’ defending jockey champion Rosie Napravnik won her second straight race on Dec. 3, her first in a 2011 Claiming Crown event, when she captured the $75,000 Glass Slipper, a six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares while astride Howard, Pauley and Reiker’s Rattlin Gyspy for Illinois-based trainer John Wainwright. “I was told to just set back and try to work her to the outside,” said Napravnik. “I put her where she likes to be and she came flying home.”
Rattlin Gyspy, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred by Quest, paid $14.80, $6.20 and $5.20 while racing at her ninth different race track over the past year. It was her sixth career win in 24 lifetime starts and she increased her total earnings to $167,515 while getting the three-quarters of a mile in 1:11.45.
“We really don’t have any plans right now for her next start,” said owner Steve Reiker. “She’s run at nine different racetracks over the last 12 months and we’re just going to enjoy the moment.”
Rattlin Gyspy, allowed to settle, challenged for command entering the lane and drew off for a three-length tally. Stretch Run Racing Stable’s D’cats Meow finished second, paying $4.80 and $4.40, while finishing 2 3/4-lengths in front of Darren Fleming’s Right to Rule, who paid $7.20 to show.
Billy, Donna and Justin Hays’ Shesadozer, part of a three-horse entry saddled by Joe Woodard, alternated on pace with splits of 21.72 and 45.41 before tiring.