Dutch Parrot powers clear in Lady Jacqueline Stakes

The $200,000 Lady Jacqueline Stakes, one of the richest events on Thistledown's schedule for the year and a rare open-company event on the Ohio calendar, drew a field of fillies and mares bred in four different states. It was Arkansas-bred Dutch Parrot who powered clear in the lane to come out on top in the field of six.

The race was marred by the fatal breakdown of Rise Above It. The 5-year-old mare reared at the start under Ricardo Feliciano, rushed up to set the pace for the first six furlongs while pressured by Nikki My Darling and still remained a threat as the favorites closed turning for home before breaking down near the eighth pole.

The Bellamy Road mare, trained by Matt Shirer for Matthew Catalano, won 5 of 21 career starts. An allowance winner earlier this year at Fair Grounds, she was making her stakes debut.

Sneaky Betty, who was sent away as the favorite off a runner-up effort to Elate in the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap last month, came three wide around the leaders to inherit the lead. But Dutch Parrot, who was full of run under Walter De La Cruz, came to her in the lane, quickly assumed command, and powered clear to win by 3 1/4 lengths. She finished the 1 1/8 miles in 1:52.64.

After Sneaky Betty, it was another 4 1/2 lengths to Babybluesdancing in third.

Dutch Parrot ($9.20), by Eskendereya, races as a homebred for Shortleaf Stable and is trained by William Van Meter. The filly is now 3 for 16 lifetime, and was scoring her first victory of the season in the Lady Jacqueline. She came in off three consecutive third-place finishes, including a rallying effort in the Mari Hulman George Stakes at Indiana Grand last out.

Earlier on the card, the stalwart School Board Prez won the $75,000 Pay the Man Stakes for Ohio-bred fillies and mares.

School Board Prez ($7) and Pedro Cotto Jr., were sixth in the field of eight after three quarters as the consistent multiple stakes winner Leona's Reward took the lead from Proper Discretion around the far turn. School Board Prez swung four wide and came with a furious rally in the lane as, up ahead, the stalking Cali Dream edged clear of Leona's Reward. School Board Prez came to the leaders with a rush in the final strides to win by a head; it was another 1 1/2 lengths to Leona's Reward. The final time for the nine furlongs was 1:53.66.

This was the eighth career stakes victory, and second straight, for School Board Prez, who is trained by Doug Matthews. She won the Vivacious Handicap in early August at Belterra.