Janeian breaks course record

STICKNEY, Ill. - Three furlongs into the Indian Maid Handicap, Janeian raced in second place, tossing her head and trying to break free of jockey Eddie Martin's tight hold and run up to the lead. This was not what her connections wanted to see. Janeian needs cover, horses racing in front of her, to relax and produce a big finishing kick.

And just like that a mare named Glorious Grace ran up beside the early leader, Curious Conundrum, putting Janeian in an ideal spot. Janeian raced behind the pair around the far turn, and when Martin turned her loose at the top of the stretch, she ran over the leaders, going on to an easy 2 1/4-length victory in course-record time. Janeian sizzled through 1 1/16 miles on grass in 1:39.86, breaking the old mark of 1:40.40.

It was the first stakes win for Janeian, a 5-year-old New Zealand-bred mare owned by Greg England and trained by Bret Calhoun. Ineligible for the Breeders' Cup funds of the Indian Maid, Janeian earned $60,000 for the win.

Delmonico Cat rallied belatedly between horses to finish second, a length in front of Delicatessa. After that came Glorious Grace, Curious Conundrum, Lady of the Future, and San Dare. Janeian paid $9.40 to win.

Her final time was helped along as Curious Conundrum carved out fractions of 22.98 seconds for a quarter, 46.67 for a half, and 1:09.86 for six furlongs before giving way.