Jenny's So Great Comes From Last In Royal North

Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

Jenny's So Great recorded the first graded stakes victory of her career by winning the Grade III $150,000 Royal North Stakes at Woodbine on Monday Afternoon. Jenny's So Great came from last at the top of the stretch to win the six furlong turf sprint for fillies and mares who are three-years-old and up.

Four horses, including Wildcat Marie, True Religion, Supreme and Waccamaw, began the race the quickest and rushed out on the lead. Wildcat Marie and True Religion would go on to fight for the lead and carried the field through a quick opening quarter of 21.86. Through most of the turn, the field maintained their positions, but Supreme and Waccamaw would look to challenge at the the top of the stretch.

In the stretch run, Wildcat Marie continued to lead by just over a length, but Supreme was right on her toes and Jenny's So Great came flying down the stretch from last place. A seam opened up for Jenny's So Great on the outside of Supreme, and the four-year-old daughter of Greatness took full advantage. Jenny's So Great surged to take the lead from Supreme and continued to run strong, taking the Royal North by two lengths. Supreme finished second as Sea Road closed to finish third. Wildcat Marie faded to fourth.

"There were a few anxious moments but that, right there, is what horse racing is all about," said winning jockey Jesse Campbell. "They were flying up front and she's a horse you can be patient with."

"I let the race develop and about halfway through she came up underneath me so nice," added Campbell. "I had to wait a little bit longer than I wanted to, but the last thing I wanted to do was circle the field because I knew this filly has a quick turn of foot. When it opened, she hit it as fast as I saw it and that's power.

Jenny's So Great won her first graded stakes race in her fifth try. The win improved her career record to six wins, four seconds and four thirds in 20 starts. She has earned $551,479 for owners Bill and Vicki Poston. The win was an important one for the Postons, as trainer Gregory de Gannes revealed that they are thinking of retiring the four-year-old mare after the season to the breeding shed.

"It will be all about putting money behind her name now," said de Gannes.

Jenny's So Great paid $18.90, $6.50, $4.40, combining with Supreme ($3.90, $3.40) for an $89.20 (6-8) exactor. A 6-8-2 (Sea Road, $4.20 to show) triactor was worth $326.30.

Posted in: Woodbine