Careless Jewel makes it look easy

Careless Jewel may have earned herself a spot in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic with an easy 3 1/2-length victory over Bon Jovi Girl in Saturday's

The victory was the fifth in six career starts for Careless Jewel, a 3-year-old daughter of Tapit who captured the Grade 1 Alabama by 11 lengths in her previous start. Her lone loss came in her career debut at Keeneland in April.

Breaking from the inside, Careless Jewel quickly sprinted clear of her five rivals while drifting well off the rail into the clubhouse turn. With regular rider Robert Landry aboard, Careless Jewel controlled a relatively swift pace while remaining several paths out from the inside fence throughout. She settled into the stretch with a comfortable advantage and remained well clear. Bon Jovi Girl rallied from last to finish second, 1 1/4 lengths before Key Lime Baby in third.

Careless Jewel returned $2.60 as the overwhelming favorite in a field of six 3-year-old fillies. Her final time for 1 1/16 miles was 1:41.40 over a fast track.

"I spoke to Rob before the race and we thought maybe we wanted to drift off the rail a little bit and make the others come inside if they wanted to challenge us," said Josie Carroll, who trains Careless Jewel for the Donver Stable of owner Vern Dubinsky. "She probably wound up being out a little further out than we'd planned, and the pace was a little quick, but it looked like she was going comfortably the whole way."

Carroll said she'll bring Careless Jewel back to her home base at Woodbine and make a decision on a potential trip to Santa Anita and the Breeders' Cup sometime within the next week to 10 days.

"We'll see how she gets over this race and make sure she bounces out of it well," said Carroll. "The Breeders' Cup will definitely be our first thought. We'll take her back to Woodbine - I think we want to be on our home court since she thrives up there - and then just wait and see what we'll decide to do next."