Jouster has easy time in Appalachian Stakes

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Jouster found no foes to spar with on Saturday at Keeneland, cruising to a 1 1/2-length victory after she was left loose on the lead in the Grade 2, $200,000 Appalachian Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the turf.

Jouster ($5.40), sent away favored by the Keeneland crowd, continued a stellar card for Luis Saez, who was recording his third winner of the card and fifth win of the young meet overall. Saez got Jouster away from the inside post in the field of six in good order, and then judiciously rationed out her speed. She cruised through uncontested opening splits of 24.82 seconds for the quarter, 49.87 for the half, and 1:14.29 for six furlongs while clear by three lengths.

When Saez set her down for the drive through the lane, she had enough in the tank to hold sway over Gift List, with Plum Ali another half-length back in third.

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“She was so professional today,” said Saez, whose stakes mounts later on the day included favored Essential Quality in the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes, his final Kentucky Derby prep.

“She broke from there so sharp. We just tried to relax, and she did it so perfect. She came into the stretch and I had so much horse so I was just letting her be happy and we came to the end, she just took off.”

Jouster completed the mile on the turf course, which was rated good, in 1:36.83 and was given an 87 Beyer Speed Figure.

This was the sixth career start for Jouster, a Noble Mission filly who is trained by Todd Pletcher for Starlight Racing. After two subpar starts on dirt, she moved to turf, winning her first two starts on that surface in front-running fashion at Gulfstream. She was beaten a nose in the Grade 3 Florida Oaks in March 6 at Tampa Bay.