Gambler's Passion takes Blossom Series final

Gambler’s Passion, driven by David Miller, was a well-rated winner in the $70,000 Blossom Series final for sophomore filly pacers Wednesday night at the Meadowlands. 

Spoiled Beach crossed over to the lead in a :27.3 opening quarter, but was easily headed by Gambler’s Passion as they reached the half in :55.3. The pair of fillies broke away from the rest of the pack leaving only Spoiled Beach to take aim in the lane, but she could not catch Gambler’s Passion as she drew off by 1 1/2 lengths. Gambler’s Passion equaled the stakes record clocking of 1:52 shared by Rainbow Blue (2004) and Ideal News (2005.) Sent off as the 2-5 favorite in the six-horse field, she paid $2.80 to win.
 
“I expected (Pierce) to take me a little bit there, but 28 seconds wasn’t too hard on her,” Miller said of the second quarter. “She’s well-mannered and can get in and out of gear pretty quickly. I was never anxious. I thought last week she raced well off of cover (winning the second leg of the series.) On the front tonight she might have been a little green, but still, when I asked her, she responded.” 
 
Gambler’s Passion has now won four of five career starts for owner-trainer Kostas Tsanakos of East Hanover, N.J. The daughter of Cam’s Card Shark-Beach Bretta was a $26,000 yearling purchase at the New Jersey Classic Sale. 
 
“I bought her as a yearling and Ben Stafford Sr. and Jr. broke her for me,” Tsanakos said. “She was supposed to be ready in January, but she lost some time to sickness. I am not sure what is next for her; I was just getting her ready for tonight’s race. My phone has been ringing a lot with offers, but I am going to keep her.” (Meadowlands)

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