2007 – Ginger Punch won the Grade 1 Emirates Airlines Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Monmouth Park to become the fifth Florida-bred winner of the race. She and jockey Rafael Bejarano edged Hystericalady by a neck after a difficult trip in the mud.

Ginger Punch was also the final Breeders’ Cup winner for the late Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, who convinced owner and breeder Frank Stronach to put up a $180,000 supplemental entry fee. A daughter of 1998 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)-winner Awesome Again, Ginger Punch won her fourth graded stakes and third Grade 1 of 2007 in the Distaff at odds of 9-2.

The four previous Florida-bred winners of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff were Hollywood Wildcat (1993), One Dreamer (1994), Jewel Princess (1996) and Beautiful Pleasure (1999).

Return to the Oct. 27 issue of Wire to Wire