Judy the Beauty Holds in Filly & Mare Sprint
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There was no Groupie Doll to stand in her way this season, and favored Judy the Beauty would not be denied victory in the $1 million DraftKings Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I) Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park .
Last year's runner-up by half a length in the seven-furlong event, the 5-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper was well rested by owner/trainer Wesley Ward off a victory in the Aug. 17 Rancho Bernardo Handicap (gr. III) at Del Mar. She came in with what Ward called "her best breeze ever"—five furlongs on the Keeneland lawn Oct. 26 in 1:03 3/5—and put away front-runner Stonetastic with a sweeping outside move off the final turn to claim the score.
Ward said Judy the Beauty will be taken out of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November sale to campaign next season.
"With the Breeders' Cup at her home base of Keeneland next year, I've decided to keep her in training for another season," he said. "This is the kind of horse that keeps you going, keeps you working hard in this game. Horse racing is all about dreams coming true."
Rated off the pace in fourth by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith as a quarter went in :22.51 and a half went in :44.87, Judy the Beauty had plenty of running left to do when the field turned for home. Collaring Stonetastic after three-quarters in 1:09.35, she then had a late run from 23-1 Better Lucky to contend with.
The longshot came flying, but Judy the Beauty held her safe by a head, finishing in a final time of 1:21.92 on a fast track. Thank You Marylou was 3 1/2 lengths back in third, followed home by Stonetastic, Leigh Court, Southern Honey, Artemis Agrotera, Sweet Reason, Little Alexis, and Living The Life.
Sent off at odds of 3-1 in a field of 10, Judy the Beauty returned $8.20, $4.60, and $3.60. Better Lucky paid $16.40 and $10, with Thank You Marylou bringing $13.80.
Judy the Beauty was bred in Ontario by Adena Springs out of the Holy Bull mare Holy Blitz. The Filly & Mare Sprint victory improved her record to 9-7-1 from 18 starts for earnings of $1,662,122. It was her second grade I; she took the Madison Stakes at Keeneland in the spring.
She was a $20,000 Keeneland September yearling sale purchase by Ward from the Adena Springs consignment in 2010.
The Filly & Mare Sprint was the second Breeders' Cup win for Ward, who on Oct. 31 sent out Hootenanny to take the Juvenile Turf (gr. IT) for Coolmore and partners.