Hey Jessie ($34.20) has no problem with Soviet Problem

CYPRESS, Calif. - Hanging around rival fillies for a bit worked for the longshot Hey Jessie in Sunday’s $102,000 Soviet Problem Stakes for California-bred 2-year-olds at Los Alamitos.

“We wanted to cover her up and be between horses,” trainer Sean McCarthy said.

Jockey Kyle Frey followed the plan for six furlongs before guiding Hey Jessie to the outside of rivals at the beginning of the track’s long stretch. Hey Jessie gradually progressed through the field and reached the front well before the finish, winning by two lengths.

“I think being in between helped her focus and stay alert,” Frey said. “She really took to the course.”

Hey Jessie ($34.20) ran a mile in 1:39.85 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 65.

Frey had Hey Jessie in seventh in the field of nine for the first half-mile, chasing the longshot Cioppina Pasadina, who set an early pace of 23.80 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.54 for a half-mile.

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Hey Jessie advanced to sixth with a quarter-mile remaining, still trailing by more than two lengths. In the stretch, Hey Jessie was slightly more than a length behind temporary leader Tequilaandtherapy.

“My hope was the stretch here would benefit her and it did,” McCarthy said.

In the Air Tonight, the winner of the CTBA Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar in August, finished second at 3-1, a neck in front of 5-2 Tequilaandtherapy, the winner of the Golden State Juvenile Fillies at seven furlongs at Del Mar on Nov. 1.

Grateful My Love, the 6-5 favorite who was second by a nose in the Golden State Juvenile Fillies, finished fourth. She raced on the inside through the stretch and was beaten 2 3/4 lengths.

Musical Number finished fifth, followed by Chilly Philly, How About Pavel, Z’s Wardrobe and Cioppina Pasadina.

Hey Jessie has won 2 of 3 starts and earned $95,640. She was fourth in her debut behind Chilly Philly in a maiden race for statebred fillies at a mile on turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 19, and rebounded to win a similar race at a mile on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 16.

McCarthy trains Hey Jessie on behalf of owner and breeder Steve Young. McCarthy said Hey Jessie will be pointed to the $175,000 California Cup Oaks for statebred 3-year-old fillies at a mile on turf at Santa Anita on Jan. 11.

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