Classic Campaign gets up by nose

STICKNEY, Ill. - Richard Migliore and Classic Campaign barely won the Robert F. Carey Memorial Handicap, and that may be the only way to do it with this horse.

Migliore had never ridden Classic Campaign before Saturday, but he had watched tape, and his impression of Classic Campaign was confirmed by Keith Allen, assistant to Classic Campaign's trainer, Bill Mott.

"They told me not to make the lead too early, because as soon as he hits the front, he thinks he's done," said Migliore.

Saturday, Classic Campaign had no chance to wait for the competition. Migliore didn't set Classic Campaign down until the final 200 yards of the one-mile Carey, and Classic Campaign nipped a tough-luck Crested by an inch or two.

"I asked him to go at the eighth pole," said Migliore, who recalled riding at Hawthorne only once before in his career. "I was worried I'd waited too long."

Crested, who lost the Hawthorne Derby here last year by a neck, ran well in taking a nose defeat. He stalked a solid half-mile pace of 46.96 seconds under Chris Emigh while saving ground from the rail. Pacesetters Masterpiece and Onthedeanslist chucked it turning for home, and Crested went clear in midpack. He didn't give ground, either, but Classic Campaign was slightly better on the day.

Classic Campaign ($8.20) was timed in a sharp 1:33.95 on firm ground.

Ballast, the favorite, pressed the pace but had nothing in the stretch, and wound up last. Assistant trainer Laird George said neither he nor Rafael Bejarano had an immediate excuse for the performance.

Indian Maid: Jennie R. sets record

Jennie R. was even better on two weeks' rest than she had been with a more typical break between starts.

Coming back 14 days after getting nailed on the wire of an Arlington turf stakes, Jennie R. turned in the best race of an already excellent season, winning the Indian Maid Stakes by 4 1/2 lengths while setting a turf-course record of 1:40.46 for 1 1/16 miles.

Jennie R. began the year in a $50,000 claiming race, and took about forever to clear her second allowance condition, but she has turned into Chicago's best grass mare this season. At Arlington, she won the Possibly Perfect Stakes and was a good second in the Grade 3 Modesty before finishing fifth in the Beverly D. On a different turf course, and with jockey T.D. Houghton subbing for regular rider E.T. Baird, Jennie R. was just as good.

She made a clear early lead before the first turn, and Houghton said Jennie R. quickly relaxed while setting a legitimate pace of 47 seconds and change to the half-mile. Jennie R. briefly looked like she might be in trouble at the top of the stretch, but once challenged she opened up and drew away late in a strong performance.

The favorite in the $100,000 Indian Maid, Jennie R. paid $5.60 to win. Barbette edged longshot Glitter Star by a half-length for second.