Jill's Sky wins Moment to Buy Stakes

ALBANY, Calif. - Jill's Sky ($21.20) turned what looked to be a contentious $82,750 Moment to Buy Stakes into a personal romp Saturday at Golden Gate Fields.

She grabbed the lead early, shook loose from mild pressure into the second turn and was not asked late as she defeated fast-finishing Private Banking by one-half length in the 1 1/16th-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies. Island Escapade was third a neck farther back. The winning time was 1:44.52 over a good course.

Jill's Sky was stalked by longshot La Balladar early.

"There was some pressure, but she was so relaxed. I wasn't trying to pull hard on her," winning rider Jose Valdivia Jr. said. "When I asked her a bit midway around the (second) turn she quickened, and I knew I'd have plenty unless someone really came flying late.

"I hit her a couple times left-handed into the lane because she likes to look at the stands. I didn't ask for much in the final 16th. She had a lot left in the tank."

The victory, worth $49,000, was her third win in eight starts and second in a row. She has now earned $135,400.