Bosserati Digs Deep to Win The Very One Stakes at Pimlico

Bosserati, a Maryland-bred mare, displayed grit and determination to capture The Very One Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on Friday, May 16, 2025. The Joel Politi homebred, trained by Brittany Russell, held off a persistent challenge from Accomplished Girl in a thrilling stretch duel to win the five-furlong turf sprint by a head.

Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., who picked up the mount after Sheldon Russell was unseated in an earlier race, Bosserati broke sharply from post position two and immediately went to the lead. Accomplished Girl, with Paco Lopez aboard, pressed the pace from the outside, and the two fillies quickly separated themselves from the field.

The leaders blazed through an opening quarter-mile in 22.45 seconds and a half-mile in 46.21 seconds. Turning for home, Bosserati and Accomplished Girl were locked in a head-to-head battle. Accomplished Girl appeared poised to go by in deep stretch, but Bosserati, under urging from Ortiz Jr., dug in gamely and refused to yield, hitting the wire in a final time of 59.44 seconds over the good turf course.

“I just let her be her,” said Ortiz Jr. “She likes to be on the lead setting the pace. We broke good and she rolled. Turning for home and in the stretch, she doesn’t want to give up the lead.”

Trainer Brittany Russell commented, “She likes it here at home. I felt like we had her ready today.” She also noted the relief of the win after a challenging day, stating, “Just saved my whole week. Tough game. We had a couple of bad ones in a row here and I’m just happy that she ran good. She showed up.”

The victory marked Bosserati’s first start since finishing ninth in the Pan Zareta Stakes in November at Fair Grounds and was her sixth win from 19 career starts. The 5-year-old daughter of Holy Boss out of Candy Striper, by Twirling Candy, was foaled in Maryland.

Gift of Gab, ridden by Jevian Toledo, rallied between foes to finish third, three-quarters of a length behind the runner-up. Loon Cry, the post-time favorite, made a late bid after a slow start to finish fourth.

The remaining order of finish was Anaita, Shoshanah, Simply Stated, Moonlit Kiss, Mendys Honey, Admiral Hopper, Maggie’s Girl, and Pinotslilgirl. Mudslide and Pleasant Embrace were scratched.

The Very One Stakes, a black-type event for fillies and mares three-year-olds and upward, carried a purse of $100,000.

Scratched Horse(s): Mudslide (Main-Track-Only), Pleasant Embrace (Main-Track-Only)

Fractional Times: 22.45, 46.21
Final Time: 59.44

Winning Connections

Winner: Bosserati
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr
Trainer: Brittany Russell
Owner: Joel Politi
Breeder: Joel Politi
Bloodline: Dark Bay or Brown Mare, by Holy Boss out of Candy Striper, by Twirling Candy. Foaled Apr 07, 2020 in Maryland
Holy Boss stands at Anchor & Hope Farm, in port Deposit, MD ($2,500 Live Foal)

Payouts

• $1 EXACTA (2-14) Paid: $20.50
• $1 SUPERFECTA (2-14-6-9) Paid: $604.90
• $1 TRIFECTA (2-14-6) Paid: $173.70

Race Replay