Spencer Returns to Aqueduct With JC Oaks Victory

It took 19 years, but jockey Jamie Spencer finally has a good memory to associate with Aqueduct Racetrack.

The European-based Spencer's last visit to the Big A was back in 2004, when he was working for trainer Todd Pletcher in the winter and his horse kicked him in the leg.

Nothing was broken but Spencer was taken to the hospital by an ambulance and came away with a nasty contusion.

He was able to laugh about that incident Sept. 16 when his return to Ozone Park was highlighted by a victory aboard Godolphin's Eternal Hope , who rallied widest from last in the field of seven and surged to the front in the final yards to prevail by a neck over Neecie Marie  in the $350,000 Jockey Club Oaks Invitational Stakes (G3T) for 3-year-old fillies.

"I didn't die anyway," Spencer said. "This was more pleasant. Its always nice to get one for Godolphin."

Trained by Charlie Appleby, the 1 3/8-mile turf test was her initial U.S. start and the first graded or group stakes win for the homebred group 2-placed daughter of Teofilo  out of the Dubawi  mare Voice of Truth.

Assistant trainer Chris Connett said the even-money favorite ($4) would return home to Great Britain where future plans would be determined.

"She has to improve," Spencer replied when asked if Eternal Hope had the makings of a Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T) starter, "but I think she will. She's lightly raced with five starts before today."

Quick Hits

This was the third and final leg of the New York Racing Association's Turf Triple for 3-year-old fillies ... Teofilo, who stands at Darley, has produced a grade/grade 1 winner in his first 11 crops ... Final time was 2:16.47 on firm turf.