Groupie Doll Bids Adieu to Her Career a Hurricane Bertie Winner

Groupie Doll Bids Adieu to Her Racing Career with a Win at The 2014 Hurricane Bertie Stakes: Race horse Groupie Doll finished her racing career with a bang at the Hurricane Bertie Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Sunday, February 9, 2014.

The 2014 Hurricane Bertie Stakes was a memorable race for Groupie Doll as it was her last official race and she was able to go out with a win.

Groupie Doll has had a decorated career as she is the two-time GI Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint title winner and the 2013 Filly & Mare Eclipse awards honoree. She also won the 2012 Vinery Madison and Humana Distaff stakes and the 2012 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes and the Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes in 2012 and 2013.

Despite her impressive resume, some were a little concerned coming into the 2014 Hurricane Bertie Stakes as Groupie Doll had a little bit of a rough time at the Grade 1 Cigar Mile, coming in 4th place, however, she came through and was victorious.

The Hurricane Bertie is a grade 3 race with a $200,000 purse for four-year-olds and up lady sprinters with 7 horses running in the 2014 edition. In this race Groupie Doll was led by her long time jockey Rajiv Maragh. She went into the race the 2-5 favorite and at first it was questionable whether or not she would win the race as she had trouble finding her stride in the beginning off of the rail post, but she was able to gain speed in the upper stretch.

Groupie Doll’s is trained by Buff Bradley, who actually bred Groupie Doll with his father, and she is owned by Mandy Pope who said of the race, “I’m in tears…very excited. I’m so happy for everyone, the fans, Buff. It’s just so wonderful. I was so worried when she was so far behind, but they were telling me, ‘Don’t worry about it.’ It was just wonderful and amazing.”

It was certainly a wonderful way for Groupie Doll to end her career, going out on top. Bradley said of Groupie Doll, “I love her going out a winner…I know she’s going to have a good life. Mandy is going to take good care of her and I can see her whenever I want. I’m just happy with the career she’s had…and now she’s a winner as a 6-year-old. That’s something on her resume too.”

Today proved to be a bittersweet finale to Groupie Doll’s racing career, the racing community will be sad to see her go, but it’s beautiful to see her go out on a win.

Hurricane Bertie Stakes 2014 Results and Payouts
1-Groupie Doll, $2.80 to Win, $2.40 to Place, $2.10 to Show
5-Five Star Momma, $9.40 to Place, $6.20 to Show
7-Wildcat Lily, $4.40 to Show
Also ran were: 2– Jamaican Smoke , 6– Heart Stealer , 4– Distortion , 3– My Due Process

2014 Hurricane Bertie Stakes Replay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI5rGuCNv4E