Dogwood to Stellar Jayne

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - D. Wayne Lukas got a measure of compensation for missing the entire Triple Crown series when he saddled Stellar Jayne to a clear-cut victory Saturday in the $161,400 at Churchill Downs.

Lukas, the Hall of Fame trainer who has won four runnings of the Belmont Stakes, watched with satisfaction as Stellar Jayne got a perfect stalking trip under Robby Albarado en route to a 3 1/4-length triumph in the Grade 3 Dogwood.

While Ender's Sister, the 4-5 favorite, led through the opening six furlongs of the 1 1/16-mile Dogwood, Stellar Jayne was always on her hip, poised to strike. Turning for home, Stellar Jayne took command with surprising ease en route to her fourth victory in 12 career starts. She returned $6.80 as second choice after finishing in 1:43.14 over a fast track.

Dynaville rallied to get second, 1 3/4 lengths before Ender's Sister in a field of five 3-year-old fillies.

Stellar Jayne, a gray Wild Rush filly owned by a partnership led by Spendthrift Farm, snapped a seven-race losing streak, winning for the first time since the Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill last fall.

"We can build off this one," said Lukas. "She needs to improve a little bit, but I'm not so sure this wasn't her best race."

This year was the first since 1979 that Lukas did not have a starter in any of the Triple Crown races. Lukas has won 13 Triple Crown events, tied for the most in history.

The Dogwood BC originally was scheduled for May 30 but was rescheduled because of weather.

Lunarpal wires Kentucky BC

Earlier Saturday, Lunarpal ($2.20) led every step of the way in the Grade 3, $132,088 , remaining undefeated in three starts for his trainer, Steve Asmussen.

Following the early scratch of Maximus C, the second choice in the morning line, just three other 2-year-olds were left to oppose Lunarpal in the 5 1/2-furlong Kentucky BC. With Shane Sellers riding, Lunarpal sped to the front, then kept Consolidator at bay throughout the stretch run to prevail by a measured neck.

Lunarpal, bred in Florida by owner Bill Heiligbrodt, finished in 1:04.07. By Successful Appeal, Lunarpal was the five-length winner of the Three Chimneys Juvenile on Kentucky Derby Day and most likely will race next in the July 4 Bashford Manor Stakes before heading to Saratoga.

* David Fortner, the former longtime assistant to Elliott Walden, recorded his first win as a trainer when Teenage Temper ($6.40) posted an 8 1/4-length victory in the second race. Teenage Temper, owned by Mark Stanley, was the seventh career starter for Fortner.