Galunpe Chalks Up One-Length Victory in Matinee Stakes

Galunpe overtook the pace-setting T.V. Of Crystal late in the stretch and drew off for a length victory in the featured Matinee Stakes Friday at Hollywood Park.

Trained by Charlie Whittingham and ridden by Robbie Davis, the 6-year-old Irish-bred mare covered 1 1/8 miles of the turf course in 1:47 2/5 for her first win in five starts this year and her ninth in 33 career races.

The winner returned $4.40, $2.60 and $2.10; Rosadora, Galunpe’s stablemate, paid $3 and $2.40, and T.V. of Crystal paid $3 to show.

T.V. Of Crystal, who hasn’t won in six races since taking three in a row last fall, broke out on top by 1 1/2 lengths and opened up a two-length lead in the backstretch. Rosadora, never less than a length behind T.V. Of Crystal after they entered the far turn, moved in front inside the eighth pole. But Galunpe, rallying from fourth at the three-quarters pole, charged past Rosadora in the final 100 yards.