South African-bred Gimme A Nother made a bold statement in her North American debut, finishing a strong second in the Grade 2, $200,000 Hillsborough Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday. Despite a nearly year-long layoff and adjusting to unfamiliar surroundings, the previously undefeated mare showed her class, closing powerfully behind winner Saffron Moon.

Trained by Graham Motion and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Gimme A Nother had to navigate a tricky trip. Ortiz held her back slightly on the final turn to avoid being forced too wide, and by the time she found her best stride, Saffron Moon had already secured a decisive advantage. The final margin was three-quarters of a length, with Gimme A Nother finishing 2 1/4 lengths ahead of third-place finisher Venencia.

Motion was encouraged by her performance, particularly considering her extended layoff. “She hasn’t run since April, and it does make a difference,” he said. “She was a little surprised by everything, a little spooked. It’s all new to her.”

Ortiz echoed the trainer’s sentiment, believing Gimme A Nother will improve with the experience and may be better suited to a longer distance. “He was very pleased with her,” Motion added. “He said what I said, she might want to go a little farther.”

Saffron Moon, the 6-year-old Malibu Moon mare trained by Chad Brown, delivered a strong stretch run under Flavien Prat to claim victory, covering the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.58.

For Gimme A Nother, the Hillsborough was a significant step forward as she transitions to the U.S. racing scene. Given her pedigree and prior dominance in South Africa, she remains a filly to watch as the season progresses—especially if she stretches out in distance as Motion suggests.