Spirit Doll Takes to Turf in $75,000 Our Dear Peggy

Homebred Decisive Winner of 2YO Filly Grass Stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Peachtree Stable homebred Spirit Doll, troubled in two prior dirt starts, had everything go her way racing first time on the grass and powered to a 6 ½-length victory in Saturday’s $75,000 Our Dear Peggy at Gulfstream Park.

Ridden by Edgard Zayas for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., Spirit Doll ($9.60) covered a firm turf course in 1:33.87 to become a stakes winner in the two-turn test for 2-year-old fillies that headlined the 11-race program.

Spirit Doll is by Tiz the Law, a four-time Grade 1 winner on dirt including Gulfstream’s 2020 Florida Derby that has had success as a stallion with grass runners, connecting at 13 percent with turf routers and 20 percent with progeny racing first time on turf.

“It was a question mark how she’d handle it, but she definitely has the pedigree for it and she had been working great,” Zayas said. “She really didn’t disappoint today.”

Little Torch, sent off at 90-1, was in front through a quarter-mile in 23.38 seconds but had fellow longshot Bayou Brigid move up on even terms following a half in 47.23. Zayas gave Spirit Doll clear sailing in the three path, swung widest of all leaving the far turn and opened up once straightened for home.

“It set up to be a beautiful trip,” Zayas said. “I was able to sit a pocket trip, I brought her to the outside and she really responded.”

Vita Mia, runner-up in Gulfstream’s Sept. 26 Hallandale Beach also making her turf debut, was a distant but decisive second, 4 ¼ lengths ahead of Bayou Brigid. It was 1 ½ lengths back to Spicy Princess followed by Little Torch, previously undefeated even-money favorite Storm’s Wake, That Police, Miss Picky and Y’allreadyforthis, who encountered trouble when floated wide on the first turn. Bert’s Knoty Girl and Dandona were scratched.

Spirit Doll debuted with a hard-fought head victory against restricted company in a six-furlong maiden special weight Aug. 7 at Saratoga after stumbling at the start. She again found early trouble when bumped out of the gate in the Aug. 30 Spinaway (G1) and was eased to the wire, finishing sixth with Zayas up.

“Saffie has always been really high on her. He was disappointed the way she ran at Saratoga in the Spinaway. It was a tough race, but just the way she completely abandoned the race,” Zayas said. “I’m glad he put her on the turf where she has the pedigree. She really showed some ability.”