Calder: Jennasietta does it on her own

MIAMI - Jennasietta received a little help from the stewards to defeat Wander Mom in the faster division of the Powder Break Handicap on opening day of the 2002 Calder meet. But she needed no aid from the judges or anybody else Saturday, finishing full of run in a one-length victory over Wander Mom in the $105,000 Calder Breeders' Cup Handicap.

Jennasietta had finished second, three-quarters of a length behind Wander Mom, after being shut off by that rival in early stretch of the second division of the Powder Break on April 26. The stewards ultimately placed Jennasietta first after disqualifying Wander Mom for causing interference.

Jennasietta was reserved near the back of the pack during the early stages of the Calder Breeders' Cup by jockey Abdiel Toribio. She commenced her rally while saving ground on the second turn, eased out to continue her bid in early stretch, and then ran down Wander Mom in the final 70 yards. Wander Mom stalked the pace while saving ground, slipped through on the hedge to wrest command near the eighth pole, edged clear, but proved no match for the winner. Platinum Tiara rallied mildly to be third.

Jennasietta paid $7 as the slight favorite in a field of 10 fillies and mares. She was the final mount accepted by Toribio here before his departure for Delaware Park on Sunday. Final time for the 1 1/16 miles over a firm course was 1:42.45.

"I thought she would have won last time if not getting blocked badly in the stretch," said Ralph Ziadie, who trains Jennasietta for the Acclaimed Racing Stable. "I was confident she would win today with a clean trip."