Jessamine proves popular Breeders' Cup prep
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The last time the Breeders’ Cup was at Keeneland, Aunt Pearl won the Jessamine Stakes as a prep and then added the 2020 Juvenile Fillies Turf. That history, plus a date shift for the race, a purse boost, and continued eagerness for turf racing in Kentucky have resulted in 16 entrants for Friday’s renewal of the Grade 2, $350,000 Jessamine Stakes on the Keeneland turf.
The Jessamine is a Win and You’re In qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, and now lands four weeks before that Nov. 4 event. Previously, the Jessamine was held during the second week of the fall meeting. With the move to opening weekend, the race got a purse boost from $200,000 to $350,000, which includes bonuses for Kentucky-breds.
Several of the 12 in the main body of this field are coming off starts at the all-turf Kentucky Downs meeting, which was especially popular as Churchill Downs did not conduct turf racing at its September meet. Towhead, C C Cruise Control, and Knockyoursocksoff were second, third, and fourth in the $500,000 Juvenile Fillies on Sept. 3. Those three must stretch out from a mile to the 1 1/16 miles of the Jessamine, but Kentucky Downs has an undulating turf course that often rewards stamina, and the Juvenile Fillies was run on yielding ground, giving the young fillies additional work from a fitness perspective.
Towhead was second by a nose to Chop Chop after leading early, with those two nine lengths clear of the rest of this field. Towhead earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 71, the best in this field.
Trained by Mike Maker, Towhead is still technically a maiden. After running second and third in two dirt sprints at Churchill Downs, she made her turf debut in a 1 1/16-mile maiden race on July 24 at Saratoga. She crossed the line first, but the race was declared a no-contest due to an issue with the starting gate. Towhead finished third in another 1 1/16-mile maiden race there before heading to Kentucky.
Tyler Gaffalione, aboard Towhead in both Saratoga outings, is back on the filly Friday. They drew post 12, meaning the filly will have to avoid being hung wide while heading to her customary spot on the lead.
C C Cruise Control and Knockyoursocksoff are both maiden winners at a mile, at Ellis Park and Colonial Downs, respectively.
:: Bet Keeneland with confidence! Get DRF PPs, Picks, Betting Strategies, and more.
Recognize could keep Towhead company on the front in a race that looks to have plenty of speed. Recognize, trained by Bill Mott, breaks from post 9 under Junior Alvarado. The filly won a 1 1/16-mile New York-bred maiden race on Aug. 18 at Saratoga. She was third in the P.G. Johnson Stakes there Sept. 1.
Blind Spot won at a mile and 70 yards on Gulfstream’s Tapeta in the Our Dear Peggy Stakes on Sept. 17, besting Jessamine entrant Stephanie’s Charm by three-quarters of a length.
“Definitely turf will be” in her future, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “She has a sibling that’s pretty good on the turf.”
Blind Spot rated just off the pace in the Our Dear Peggy after showing sprint speed in her prior starts, which could serve her well in the Jessamine. Sabalenka and Delight also have shown the ability to rate and rally.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.
Tax Implications, the first of four also-eligibles, would be a threat if she draws in for Chad Brown. She was a mile debut winner at Monmouth.