Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of New Jersey
Gerardo Franco's Bingo’s Birkin achieved her first career stakes victory with a two-length win in the Pinot Grigio Handicap on September 13 at Monmouth Park. Jockey Paco Lopez took the lead immediately with the daughter of Sea Wizard. After fending off some early challenges from longshot Allison Park, she was never in danger throughout the race.
The time for the five furlongs over a firm turf course was 56.97 seconds.
“I remember the last time I rode her, she was close to the lead, but the early fractions were a bit slow. She managed to overcome that and win anyway,” said Lopez. “This time, Jose Sanchez told me, ‘If you break well, let her go.’ Once she made the lead like she did in this race, I knew she would be tough to catch.”
Bingo’s Birkin easily outperformed the other 10 Jersey-breds in the field, securing her fourth win in nine lifetime starts and improving her record to 4 wins out of 6 races on grass.
“As she has matured, she has been getting better. After winning that open allowance race in her most recent start, her confidence grew,” said Sanchez. “In the first few races this year, we were in the wrong races because there weren’t suitable conditions for her. We tried her on dirt, but she didn’t like it. Then, I had to run her in an open stakes race because there wasn’t anything else available. That field was tough.”
“Then, in her last start, she won the open allowance race convincingly. This race matched her perfectly, and it feels good to get her that first stakes win. She has come a long way in her past two starts.”
Bingo’s Birkin was bred in New Jersey by Colonial Farms.