By Stefanie Grimm
She wasn't late. Everyone else was simply early.
The Albaugh Family's homebred 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' On Time Girl (Not This Time) made a final-furlong move to the front and pulled away to easily capture Saturday's GIII Forward Gal Stakes, earning herself 20 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks.
Making her 3-year-old debut, the Brad Cox trainee went three-for-four last year and was just a length away from an undefeated juvenile season when second as the favorite in the Myrtlewood Stakes at Keeneland Oct. 24. She finished up her season with a resounding 3 1/2-length win in the 6 1/2 furlong Fern Creek Stakes at Churchill Downs Nov. 29.
Stretching out to seven furlongs, the even-money favorite drew outside of several well-met foes who already had experience on the Gulfstream surface including local hero Mythical (St. Patrick's Day), a filly also one start from being undefeated and making her 3-year-old bow for Jorge Delgado. Quick into stride, On Time Girl held her line as she got company on both sides with Mythical rushing up to lead closer to the fence and Imperatice (City of Light) breaking well from the far outside.
That trio moved through an opening quarter in a reasonable :22.96 but, as they began to corner, On Time Girl got squeezed back from the middle and dropped to fifth in a field that was stacked up with just over a quarter-mile to run. As Mythical began to tire and fall back on the rail, jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. tipped On Time Girl outside for a clear running lane with less than a furlong to race.
Imperatrice found herself briefly alone on the lead with a host of challengers behind her but the favorite was coming and quickly swept past, opening up at will in the final yards to win as she pleased. Imperatrice managed to hold for second ahead of charging 'TDN Rising Star' Sneaky Good (Into Mischief) who closed for third.
With her 20 points, On Time Girl now ranks fifth on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard which for now is still topped by another 'Rising Star' in Explora (Blame).
“I broke good,” said Ortiz. “I felt like Mythical had speed so I stuck right there beside her. The outside horse showed some speed so I took my time. I got out of there at the half-mile pole. I was in a bad spot and I wasn't comfortable there, but the filly responded like a champion. She kept trying and she held me there. I was able to hold my ground, hold my position and after that I straightened out and she did the rest.”
Cox indicated that a stretch-out in the GII Davona Dale Stakes may be next for his filly.
“It's possible based on pedigree,” Cox said. “It might be something she's able to do. The Davona Dale might be in play going a one-turn mile here late February.”
Pedigree Note:
The Albaughs bred On Time Girl out of their homebred stallion, the sensational Not This Time, and out of a mare they purchased as a yearling for $500,000 at Keeneland September in 2019. That yearling became Girl Daddy who took down the GIII Pocahontas Stakes and ran third in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies in 2020. On Time Girl, the 35th graded stakes winner for her sire, is her dam's second foal and first winner.
The family includes GSW/G1SP Comicas (Distorted Humor) and G1SP Miss Jean Brodie (Maria's Mon).
Girl Daddy's first foal is the now 4-year-old unraced filly Show and Tell (Into Mischief) who was a $700,000 yearling at Keeneland September in 2023. She has since produced a full-sister to On Time Girl in 2025 and is due this spring to Horse of the Year Flightline.
Saturday, Gulfstream Park
FORWARD GAL S.-GIII, $150,000, Gulfstream, 1-31, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:24.59, ft.
1–ON TIME GIRL, 120, f, 3, by Not This Time
1st Dam: Girl Daddy (GSW & GISP, $321,240),
by Uncle Mo
2nd Dam: Cara Marie, by Unbridled's Song
3rd Dam: Miss Kilroy, by A.P. Indy
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. ($375,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP). O/B-Albaugh Family Stables LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $90,210. Lifetime Record: 5-4-1-0, $405,735. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Imperatrice, 118, f, 3, City of Light–Dolce Lili, by Scat Daddy. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($500,000 Ylg '24 FTSAUG). O-Woodland Way; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $29,100.
3–Sneaky Good, 120, f, 3, Into Mischief–Gale, by Tonalist. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($450,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-NK Racing and LNJ Foxwoods; B-Andrew N. Warren (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $14,550.
Margins: 3, NK, 5. Odds: 1.10, 9.60, 6.00.
Also Ran: Hollen Drive, Mythical, Tessellate, Secane, Music Burst.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
⏰ ON TIME GIRL ($4.20) earns 2️⃣0️⃣ points toward the 🌸 Kentucky Oaks after she and @iradortiz win the $175,000 Forward Gal Stakes (G3) at @GulfstreamPark for @bradcoxracing. This 3YO filly by @TMStallions Not This Time is bred and owned by @Albaughstables. pic.twitter.com/TPOxVpf8aQ
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 31, 2026
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