Irish Gypsy made her first start in a graded stake an unforgettable one for owners Mike Pegram and John Sikura, winning the $200,000 A Gleam H. (G2) July 16 at Hollywood Park by the narrowest of margins over a hard-charging Ultra Blend.

The 5-year-old Baffert trainee had tuned up for the step up in class with wins $75,000 Valid Expectations S. at Lone Star Park and the $76,000 Desert Stormer H. at Hollywood Park over the last two months.

Irish Gypsy went right to the lead out of the gate in the seven furlong A Gleam, but she had plenty of company, with a trio of horse battling for the lead down the backstretch. She put away the other pacesetters coming into the stretch, opening up by a length and a half. Ultra Blend came flying from last in the field of nine, but Irish Gypsy dug in to hang on by just a few inches.

“We’ve got her rolling now,” said Baffert's assistant Mike Marlow. “She’s had some time to develop. She’s getting stronger as she gets older. She’s better now than she’s ever been. It was close. I thought it might be a dead heat.’’

Irish Gypsy earned herself a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint Nov. 4 with her exciting victory. Now 6-for-14 lifetime, Irish Gypsy pushed her bankroll to $359,420.