Taking advantage of a leisurely early pace, Windy Walk had just enough left to hold off grade 1 winners Power Squeeze and Soul of an Angel and score a 14-1 upset in the Dec. 26 $125,000 Rampart Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
One of four 3-year-old fillies in the Rampart, former claimer Windy Walk earned her first black-type victory in gate-to-wire fashion for owner/breeder Richard Perkins. Although overlooked on the odds board with the presence of recent Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) heroine Soul of an Angel, Windy Walk was exiting three consecutive wins against older rivals in starter allowance company.
Breaking on top, jockey Tyler Gaffalione didn't hesitate to send the Munnings filly to the front and the pair loped through splits of :25.82, :49.30, and 1:13.30. In her first appearance since her Breeders' Cup glory at Del Mar, heavily favored Soul of an Angel trailed and was still well behind as the field rolled for home. Alabama Stakes (G1) winner Power Squeeze, making her first start since finishing seventh in the Sept. 21 Cotillion Stakes (G1), launched a bid at the top of the lane but had to dig deep to cut into Windy Walk's comfortable advantage.
Windy Walk ($30.20) held sway by a neck as Power Squeeze and a wide-rallying Soul of an Angel came flying late. Power Squeeze edged the 1-5 favorite by a head for second.
Trained by Christopher Davis, Windy Walk raced the mile in 1:38.01 on a fast main track.
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