Jaywalk in good shape after Davona Dale disappointment

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer John Servis reported all was well with his Eclipse Award winner Jaywalk in the wake of her fourth place finish as the 1-5 favorite in Saturday’s Grade 2 Davona Dale.

“All’s good. She ate good, she’s acting good, her legs look good,” Servis said after training hours on Sunday morning.

Jaywalk rated just off the early pace of Cookie Dough but came up empty when called upon by jockey Joel Rosario on the final turn. She was beaten just under six lengths by upset winner Jeltrin while making her first start since her easy victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies three months earlier.

“Hindsight being 20-20, maybe we should have put her on the lead and see how she handled it from there,” said Servis. “I sure thought she was a whole lot fitter than the way she ran.”

Servis said if all goes well, he’ll stick to his original plan of running Jaywalk next in either the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks here on March 30 or a week later in the Ashland at Keeneland as a prep for his first major goal of the season, the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks.

Irad Ortiz to serve suspension

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr was handed a five-day suspension by the stewards for his ride aboard Trapped at Sea in Friday’s ninth event, and will serve those days from March 13-17, according to agent Jay Rushing, who is representing the recently crowned Eclipse Award winner during the Championship meet.

“He just wants to take the days now and put them behind him,” said Rushing, who said Ortiz will have to forfeit a call he had in the Inside Information Stakes here on March 16.

Ortiz opened a commanding advantage in the standings over Luis Saez while Saez was serving two consecutive five-day suspensions of his own last month. Saez has regained his top form since returning to action, winning three stakes on Saturday’s card and three more races the following day.