Grand Jete Steps Up in Eatontown

Juddmonte Farms' homebred Grand Jete took the next step in her stateside progression June 3, closing with powerful strides to win the $100,000 Eatontown Stakes (G3T) at Monmouth Park and hinting of a promising summer to come. 

The 4-year-old daughter of Dansili was favored at 3-2 odds in the 1 1/16-mile turf test, and quickened on the outside under jockey Joe Bravo to claim her second consecutive North American win with a tremendous turn of foot. It was the fourth win on the card for Bravo, who picked up the mount for the first time.

Grand Jete made eight starts in France before she was sent to trainer Chad Brown. She rallied to a 4 1/4-length April 13 allowance victory at Keeneland in her North American debut, and picked up her first graded score in her first try at that level in the United States with a sweeping move Saturday in New Jersey.

Bravo kept the bay filly covered up on the inside early in a field of 11 older fillies and mares, about a dozen lengths off a quick early tempo set by Quiet Kitten, who went a quarter in :23.94 and a half in :47.57. Grade 3 winner Zipessa took over after three-quarters in 1:11.49, but another Brown trainee, stakes-winning Light in Paris, was closing with a big outside run and claimed the advantage headed for home.

Shifted outside to clear traffic off the final turn, Grand Jete kicked into gear with a quick late run through a 1:35.60 mile, and soared clear of Light in Paris by 1 1/4 lengths. Zipessa held for third three-quarters of a length back, behind a final time of 1:41.30 on turf rated firm.

"She was so strong in the post parade," Bravo said. "I expected to sit closer than I did, but I knew there were some rapid fillies and they were doing their thing up front. She knew when the race broke, she got us into a good position and made my job really easy. Her turn of foot was huge."

The winner returned $5, $3.60, and $2.80 while the runner-up brought $4.60 and $3.40. Zipessa was worth $3.60, and was followed home by Tricky Escape, Bishop's Pond, Hip Hop N Jazz, Tin Type Gal, Call Thirty Seven, All in Fun, Quiet Kitten, and Shaan. Kyllachy Queen, Time and Motion, Money'soncharlotte, and Pleasant Mine were scratched.

Grand Jete was bred in Great Britain out of the Zamindar mare Modern Look (GB), who has produced three winners from three to race. With a 3-2-3 record from 10 starts and earnings of $148,359, Grand Jete is the first stakes winner for the mare, who this year foaled a full sister to the Eatontown winner.