Jean Elizabeth stands out in Pretty Jenny

STICKNEY, Ill. – Jean Elizabeth might not be fully fit for her 3-year-old debut, but she fits so well in the $75,000 Pretty Jenny Stakes on Saturday at Hawthorne that it might not matter.

Jean Elizabeth is one of just six Illinois-bred fillies entered in the six-furlong Pretty Jenny. The Land of Lincoln Stakes, intended for Saturday’s card, was scrapped for lack of entrants.

Jean Elizabeth and Richie’slilwildcat were entered in the Pretty Jenny by trainer Larry Rivelli. Richie’slilwildcat is the 9-5 morning-line favorite over 2-1 Jean Elizabeth, but it’s the latter who seems the more talented filly and the likely shorter price, a position her trainer holds.

Jean Elizabeth really caught the eye with a debut win over Illinois-breds on Aug. 19 while racing over Polytrack at Arlington. Her work pattern was checkered through late summer and into fall, and even when she won an open first-level allowance race by more than eight lengths on Oct. 12 at Hawthorne, Jean Elizabeth wasn’t at her best.

“She had a little shin [injury] last year, and we ran her with it for a while,” Rivelli said. “I was kind of walking on eggshells with her, and finally we just decided to give her some time.”

Jean Elizabeth as posted four local works starting in mid-March.

“She’s probably a couple works shorter than normal, but we’re hoping it’s enough,” Rivelli said.

Richie’slilwildcat is farther along in her training than her very light work pattern suggests, but she also was more exposed last season than Jean Elizabeth and lacks her stablemate’s substance.

The dangerous combination of owner Bill Stiritz and trainer Scott Becker also has two runners – Suz and Royal’s Position, who looks the superior of the two. Royal’s Position ended her 2-year-old campaign with a second going two turns in the Pat Whitworth Illinois Debutante, but since she couldn’t handle Richie’slilwildcat sprinting last fall, how will she cope with Jean Elizabeth?