Jordan's Henny (59-1) surprises in Hurricane Bertie

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – As everyone connected with Jordan’s Henny made their way into the Gulfstream Park winner’s circle, a veritable chorus of “Oh my God!” poured forth.

And for good reason: returning from a four-month layoff, Jordan’s Henny had stunned most everyone in the Pegasus Day crowd by posting a 59-1 upset in the 21st running of the Grade 3, $175,000 Hurricane Bertie.

“Everyone discounted her chances, but this filly has a lot of back class,” said Mike Tomlinson, who trains Jordan’s Henny for Erv Woolsey and Ralph Kinder.

Adeptly ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Jordan’s Henny drew even with favored Curlin’s Approval in the final 40 yards of the seven-furlong Hurricane Bertie after several lead changes already had occurred. She returned a smooth $120 to win after finishing in 1:23.68 over a fast track.

Apologynotaccepted led down the backstretch before being overtaken by Spice Lady, who then was challenged by Bodacious Babe from the inside and Moonlit Promise from the outside. Inside the furlong pole, Curlin’s Approval, the 8-5 choice under Luis Saez, then surged past them all to take command, but by then Gaffalione had angled out Jordan’s Henny, and they proved best by three-quarters of a length.

Rich Mommy was another three-quarters of a length back in third, with Moonlit Promise fourth in a field of 12 fillies and mares. Marley’s Freedom, the 2-1 second choice, was never a factor after breaking a bit tardily from her rail post, finishing sixth.

The Hurricane Bertie marks the first stakes win for Jordan’s Henny, a gray homebred 4-year-old by Henny Hughes. After winning a maiden race here in December 2016, she was second in the Grade 2 Davona Dale and proceeded to compete exclusively in stakes company except for mixing in an allowance victory at Churchill Downs in June.

Tomlinson gave Jordan’s Henny a break after she finished third in the Dogwood Stakes at Churchill in late September.

“She let us do everything we needed to do with her to get ready for this,” Tomlinson said. “I’m tickled to death for everybody involved.”

The $2 exacta (2-7) paid $448.80, the $1 trifecta (2-7-3) returned $1,803.80, and the 10-cent superfecta (2-7-3-11) was worth $1,539.17.