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Ginger Punch goes for Spa sweep in Personal Ensign Champion GINGER PUNCH (Awesome Again), winner of the last two renewals of the Go for Wand H. (G1) in her only starts over Saratoga's main track, will make her first attempt at a sweep of the Union Avenue course's major filly and mare route fixtures in Friday's $400,000 Personal Ensign S. (G1). Though it only seems the five-year-old has done just about everything the past two seasons, the Bobby Frankel trainee will be testing uncharted waters Friday -- namely running 1 1/4 miles for the first time. Even without experience at the distance, and meeting a slightly better field than what she faced in the Go for Wand, Ginger Punch again figures to be close to even-money. The chestnut has won four of five starts this year, her only setback occurring against the powerful Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]) in the Apple Blossom H. (G1). Since that loss Ginger Punch has reeled off three straight, but had to work harder than usual last out as opposing riders attempted to keep the Florida-bred boxed in and without a clear path until the head of the stretch. Rafael Bejarano, her regular pilot, will tote 122 pounds. She will be conceding from four to six pounds to her rivals under the conditions of the race. SPRING WALTZ (Silver Charm), the Rampart H. (G2) winner, forms an entry with Ginger Punch, but it would be no surprise to see the gray scratched in favor of Sunday's Molly Pitcher H. (G2) at Monmouth Park. She was entered with Ginger Punch in both the Ogden Phipps H. (G1) and Go for Wand, but was withdrawn on both occasions. Spring Waltz has raced just once since the Rampart, finishing a distant fourth in the July 13 Delaware H. (G2). UNBRIDLED BELLE (Broken Vow), third in her attempt at a Delaware H. repeat last time, finished second in the Personal Ensign last year before taking down the Beldame S. (G1). The Todd Pletcher charge was unplaced behind Ginger Punch in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), but started this season off right with a strong gate-to-wire romp in the Obeah S. (G3) at Delaware Park. LEMON DROP MOM (Lemon Drop Kid), a surprise second in the Delaware H. at 20-1, is in career best form at the moment and could factor, as could INDESCRIBABLE (Pleasant Tap), the Arlington Matron H. (G3) victor who finished three lengths behind Ginger Punch in the Go for Wand after a rough trip. Sixty Sails H. (G3) heroine GOLDEN VELVET (Seeking the Gold) failed to keep pace with Ginger Punch in the Ogden Phipps, but is generally consistent at getting a slice of the purse. The rank outsider in the field, SO GLITZY (Gilded Time), narrowly passed her second allowance condition last out at odds of 18-1.
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