Come Dancing wins Gallant Bloom (G2) in Breeders’ Cup tune-up

Come Dancing had her final prep for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) in Sunday’s $300,000 Gallant Bloom H. (G2), and the 5-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon came home a decisive winner in what was her fourth graded stakes win.

She also upped her earnings to $1,054,950, making her Malibu Moon’s sixth runner to become a millionaire. Come Dancing has won four of five starts this year, all in graded stakes, with her only blemish a second to multiple Grade 1 winner Midnight Bisou in the 1 1/16-mile Ogden Phipps (G1).

Facing just four foes in the 6 ½-furlong Gallant Bloom, Come Dancing sat just off the pace before Javier Castellano took her three-wide to engage for the lead with a quarter-mile to run. She took over with ease and was drawing away at the wire despite being geared down late.

“I initially had said some things right after her last race (her win in the G1 Ballerina on Aug. 24) that I just was going to wait until the Breeders’ Cup, but she was just doing so well,” said trainer Carlos Martin. “I did some research with the team and it was a perfect prep, timing-wise. The more I thought about it, the more I felt confident in running her today.”

Come Dancing is owned and was bred by Blue Devil Racing Stable. Her dam Tizahit was a winner of the Demoiselle S. (G2) at two.