Special Start, Jaywalk Named Champion Juvenile Filly

Separation from the pack is what creates Thoroughbred champions, and in 2018 Jaywalk ran her 2-year-old filly rivals off their feet. D. J. Stable and Cash is King's daughter of first-crop sire Cross Traffic  was well clear of her foes in the grade 1 Frizette Stakes in New York, then put in a similar effort against a much tougher bunch in the Tito's Handmade Vodka Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) to put the lid on the championship. 

Both victories were clear-cut and came in wire-to-wire fashion: the one-turn mile Frizette by 5 3/4 lengths, the two-turn Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs by 5 1/2. The latter was more impressive as Jaywalk was the 5-1 fourth choice behind division leader Bellafina, grade 1 winner Restless Rider, and strong grade 2 winner Serengeti Empress. Jaywalk's final time of 1:43.62 was faster than Game Winner's score in the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) later in the day.

Gainesway Thoroughbreds, the breeders of Jaywalk, purchased her dam, Lady Pewitt (carrying the champion) privately. Gainesway sold Jaywalk to trainer John Servis and bloodstock agent James McGreevy for $190,000 at the 2017 Keeneland September yearling sale.

"She was one of those fillies that when she walked out of the barn, she caught your eye right away," Servis said. "She was stunning. She looked like an athlete and had a big walk on her. We liked everything about her."

After being given her early lessons at Hidden Brook South in central Florida, Jaywalk joined Servis' barn and debuted at Monmouth Park in late June, finishing second to an odds-on runner at five furlongs. She ran the table in her next four starts.

A maiden score in the mud at Parx Racing prompted Servis to move Jaywalk up the ladder to Delaware Park's $50,875 White Clay Creek Stakes in late August. A 1 1/2-length score led to confidence in testing the grade 1-level competition in New York. 

The championship is well earned by Jaywalk's owners. Leonard Green's D. J. Stable has been a force on the East Coast for decades, and Green's accounting business specializes in the Thoroughbred industry. His son, Jonathan, brings talent and enthusiasm to the game. Cash is King is the nom du course for Pennsylvania-based Chuck Zacney, who raced champion and dual classic winner Afleet Alex , and Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Cathryn Sophia. Servis trained Cathryn Sophia, as well as champion 3-year-old male and dual classic winner Smarty Jones .