Windy Walk, the 3-year-old homebred filly by Munnings owned and bred by Richard Perkins, pulled off a remarkable upset on December 26, winning the $140,000 Rampart Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The victory came with Windy Walk holding off formidable competitors, including Grade 1 winners Power Squeeze and Soul of Angel, to deliver her first black-type win.
Entering the race as one of the longest shots at 14-1, Windy Walk was supplemented for this stakes attempt after impressing with three consecutive victories against older rivals. Under the guidance of jockey Tyler Gaffalione, she set out at the front, creating a relaxed pace and managing her rivals effectively to complete the race with a time of 1:38.01.
The Rampart Stakes has traditionally showcased the skills of fillies and mares, and this year marked the 46th running of the event. Windy Walk, trained by Chris Davis, had recorded earlier wins at Churchill Downs and Keeneland, leading to her confidence going against higher-caliber horses. “I was fairly confident around the turn. She was throwing her ears back and forth and felt like I had a little bit left,” Gaffalione remarked after the race.
Windy Walk broke sharply from the gate, quickly taking control of the race as she faced off against her expected challengers, including both Power Squeeze and Soul of Angel, who were more favored by the betting public. While Gaffalione chose to allow Windy Walk to dictate the pace, the early fractions were slower than ideal, clocked at 25.82 seconds for the first quarter.
Despite being behind at various stages of the race, Power Squeeze, the Alabama Stakes winner, showed determination as she rallied wide on the far turn but struggled to cut down Windy Walk's lead. Soul of Angel, who had recently earned the title of Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner, sat far back for much of the race and made her typical late charge, but it proved insufficient to overcome Windy Walk’s advantage.
With Windy Walk maintaining her lead coming down the stretch, both Power Squeeze and Soul of Angel surged forward to challenge. The final moments of the race were tense, with Windy Walk holding on to win by just a neck. Power Squeeze managed to edge out Soul of Angel for second place by just a head. “She gave me everything she had. I’m just so proud of her,” Gaffalione added, emphasizing Windy Walk’s effort.
Soul of Angel’s trainer, Saffie Joseph Jr., offered insight on the defeat: “He [Drayden Van Dyke] said they went slow on him. We didn’t do a ton with her. If anything, it’s my fault she got beat.” He acknowledged the vulnerability of his horse during the race, noting the challenge of facing Windy Walk's strong performance.
Windy Walk’s impressive victory adds to her growing legacy, with her recent form transitioning from claiming ranks to stakes competition seamlessly. After breaking her maiden against $20,000 maiden claimers at Keeneland earlier this year, she had gained momentum at Churchill Downs, winning again on November 20, and positioning herself perfectly for this race.
This victory not only marks Windy Walk's first appearance as the winner of a significant race but also showcases the surprises often found within the sport of horse racing. Her outstanding performance is expected to have major ramifications for her future racing prospects and potentially set her on the path to more lucrative stakes contests.
The outcome of the Rampart Stakes serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of racing, demonstrating how even underdogs can claim victory against the odds. With Windy Walk's connections clearly thrilled with her performance, the racing world will be watching closely to see what her next move will be.
Rounding out the field were Dazzling Move and Charlie's Wish, with both failing to make significant threats against the early leaders. Several contenders, including Save Time, Intrepid Daydream, and Unsolved Mystery, were scratched prior to the race.
With her victory, Windy Walk now boasts a lifetime record of 14 starts with 7 wins, showcasing not only her talent but also the significance of endurance and preparation leading up to the race. This victory at Gulfstream Park is certainly one for the books and is likely to be remembered as Windy Walk continues to make her mark within the racing community.
