Irish Ides wins Solano Juvenile Filly Stakes

VALLEJO, Calif. - Irish Ides ($12.60), considered only "No. 3 or 4 on the depth chart" among his 2-year-old fillies by trainer Greg Gilchrist, rallied for a one-half-length victory in the $53,550 Solano County Juvenile Filly Stakes on Sunday at the Solano County Fair.

Irish Ides, undefeated in two starts, sat off a contested pace as favored Nighthunter Two battled Spicy Cajun early. Nighthunter Two had a clear lead in the stretch, but, as she had done in her debut victory, Irish Ides made a big move in the lane to win by one-half length over Awesome Beginning, who rallied along the rail. The winning time was 1:04.87.

The Cal-bred Irish Ides earned $30,150 to increase her earning to $38,500.

Earlier, Smoking Joe ($11.40) handed world champion mule Black Ruby her second straight loss, winning the $10,000 Millennium Mule Challenge. Smoking Joe defeated Black Ruby by one-half length, setting a track record of 23.375 for 400 yards. Sarah Nelson, who defeated Black Ruby two weeks earlier in Pleasanton, was third another three-quarters length back.