In Italian Leads Gate to Wire in Jenny Wiley
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Photo: Keeneland Photo/Photos by Z
In Italian wins the Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland
Veloce, veloce, veloce!
The Italian word for "fast" seemed to expel from every breath drawn from In Italian during a commanding edition of the $511,125 Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T) April 15 at Keeneland.
Off the tails of an extended hiatus following a runner-up finish at last year's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) around the Lexington oval, owner Peter Brant's smile was evidence enough of his pride in the 5-year-old mare's victorious return to the turf.
Despite not being on-site due to a canceled flight, trainer Chad Brown was surely sharing Brant's grin as the mare handed the duo their third win together and Brown his sixth overall in the 1 1/16-mile grass event following previous years with Regal Glory (2022), Ball Dancing (2015), Sistercharlie (2018), and champion Rushing Fall in both 2019 and 2020.
"She's a wonderful mare. She's been good from the very beginning, and we're very proud to have her," Brant said. "She's going to be a great broodmare for us. We're so excited; to win this race this number of times (three) has been a great thrill for us. This is one of the most important filly-and-mare races, and it's just a great honor to win this race."
(L-R) Owners Stephanie Seymour and Peter Brant lead In Italian into the winner's circle
Off from the gate sharply as the heavy favorite, In Italian began the Jenny Wiley just as she would end it—strongly on the lead. Making sure to keep a length between herself and the remainder of the field, the mare glided over the grass with a determined Irad Ortiz Jr. at the reins in :23.63 and :47.29 while Queen Goddess tracked in second.
There was no sign of slowing down from the leader, yet Charlie Appleby trainee With The Moonlight did her best around the final turn in 1:10.66 to rally wide for second at the mile marker in 1:33.78. Last-moment efforts proved futile as In Italian drew away to finish three lengths clear in a speedy 1:39.71—three ticks off Rushing Fall's course record of 1:39.02 set in 2020.
#2 IN ITALIAN and @iradortiz take the G1 $600,000 Jenny Wiley Stakes for trainer Chad Brown and owner Peter M. Brant. Congratulations to the connections! pic.twitter.com/x7ubWdTymY
— TVG (@TVG) April 15, 2023
With The Moonlight, trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin, placed under William Buick with Bill Mott trainee and Gaineway Stable's White Frost taking third.
Though an impressive win, it certainly was not the first trip to the winner's circle at the level for In Italian ($3.50) who tasted grade 1 success last summer at Saratoga Race Course in the Diana Stakes (G1T) and again in the First Lady Stakes (G1T) in October at Keeneland. The daughter of Dubawi 's last run was a narrow loss to Tuesday at the Breeders' Cup.
Ortiz replaced regular rider Joel Rosario. The latter rode Clairiere to a victory in Saturday's $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn Park.
Ortiz says he felt good heading into the race after making a game plan with Brown.
"She broke quick out of the gate and then she relaxed. Her ears were up. She does that all the time. I was confident. The trainer told me just to go to the lead. She broke so good, I tried to relax her going into the first turn, and she switched off. That was key," Ortiz said. "After that, on the backside if somebody gets close to her, I can let her do her thing, because I know I have plenty in the tank. She was nice. She deserves all the credit. She got the job done."
Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. praises In Italian
Bred by Fairway Thoroughbreds in Great Britain, In Italian is out of the grade 3-winning Redoute's Choice mare Florentina , who has four winners from four foals to race. She was a $609,434 purchase by Brant's White Birch Farm from the Hazelwood Bloodstock consignment to Book 1 at the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.
With earnings of over $1.6 million and six wins from 10 starts, the mare's will next stop is yet to be decided—however Brant's future in the industry is a sure bet. The longtime horse lover re-entered the Thoroughbred scene in 2017 and is here to stay, for both the disappointments along with gleeful moments on a Saturday afternoon.
"Unfortunately, you're going to lose more than you're going to win, so you have to get used to it. It will humble you. But it's well worth it when you experience the thrill of winning," Brant said.
"It's a great, great sport. No opinions in the sport—it's just the first one to the finish line in a fair way. I love the sport. I've loved it ever since I was 13 years old. I plan on continuing to do it."