Photo by Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club

So said Laurel Park track announcer Dave Rodman when THEGIRLFROMIRELAND scored her third career victory in a 1 1/8 mile turf allowance with (you probably already guessed it!) Jorge Ruiz in the saddle.

We’re starting to run out of superlatives for Jorge’s rides, but what a joy it is to watch these horses run their best for him time and time again. After a very slight bobble out of the gate, Thegirlfromireland was just out for a romp on the lawn; she looked comfortable and happy, and she was ready to roll when Jorge gave her the go. She held off a strong late charge from Chelichna to win by a half-length.

This was her second race back from a layoff, and Laurel seems to be her racetrack of choice. She broke her maiden on April 16, 2023, won an allowance on June 23, and then earned stakes placing with her second in the All Brandy Stakes there on August 19 before her break.

Tim Rooney’s Shamrock Farm bred and owns the 4-year-old daughter of Goldencents and Tattoed Girl (by More Than Ready). So to dust off our Gaelic, we say “Comhghairdeas!” (Congratulations) to the Shamrock Farm team!