Jacaranda makes all the right moves to win Tempted

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – In contrast to her career debut, when all sorts of things went wrong, Jacaranda did everything right Sunday in the Grade 3 Tempted Stakes at Aqueduct, winning in convincing style by 3 1/2 lengths.

Jacaranda outsprinted Enchantress and Miss Always Ready for the early lead, then held the Matron winner Paula'ssilverlining safe the final quarter-mile. Although the time for the mile was 1:40.24, it was a strong effort by Jacaranda, who now is 2 for 2 for trainer Mike Hushion and owner Barry Schwartz.

"I loved the way the race set up, that he didn't have to send her hard in the first part," Hushion said. "You look at the time and scratch your head, but we know there were some very, very talented horses behind her."

The $250,000 Tempted was the sixth race on the Sunday card, which was run on a windy day over a drying-out track that was upgraded from muddy to good just prior to the Tempted. Three races before the Tempted, Blofeld won the one-mile Nashua, for 2-year-old males, in 1:38.89.

Jacaranda, a daughter of Congrats, paid $11.40 as the third choice in the seven-horse field. With Jose Ortiz aboard, she set splits of 23.28 seconds, 47.74, and 1:13.54.

Paula'ssilverlining made a nice move to contention along the inside on the far turn but was unable to cut into Jacaranda's lead in the stretch while second best. Save Rock and Roll broke slowly, rallied outside horses on the far turn, and finished third, 1 1/2 lengths behind Paula'ssilverlining.

Enchantress, the 1-2 favorite, prompted the early pace between horses but dropped back on the far turn and finished fifth, beaten 18 lengths.

Jacaranda had a rough trip winning her Belmont Park debut in September. She broke slowly over the muddy track and was steadied along the inside nearing the far turn. She worked her way to the front from between horses and drew off to win by five lengths.