Just Jenda looks good despite rise

Just Jenda, an impressive winner of her career debut five weeks ago, jumps directly into stakes company Monday at Philadelphia Park and appears formidable in the $75,000 Brandywine for 2-year-old fillies.

The six-furlong sprint drew a field of seven, including R Betty Graybull, who won a restricted $200,000 futurity at Monmouth Park in her last start, and Saintly Rose, who faced Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies contestants Persistently and Doremifasollatido last time out.

But if Just Jenda runs back to her first start on Sept. 20, in which she came from fifth to blow away eight rivals by 6 3/4 lengths while earning a solid 87 Beyer Speed Figure, no one will come close to her in the Brandywine.

Just Jenda's win looks even more impressive because it has turned out to be a key race. The runner-up, Missunitednations, won her maiden next time out with a 73 Beyer Speed Figure. Seventh-place Winestone also came back to win, beating $40,000 maiden claimers with a 62 Beyer.

Trainer Larry Jones shows a good 3-for-13 record moving 2-year-old maiden debut winners directly into stakes company, according to DRF's Formulator.

R Betty Graybill, from the high-percentage barn of Alan Seewald, easily defeated New York-bred maidens at Belmont Park and followed up by winning the NATC Futurity at Monmouth Park as the even-money favorite.

Saintly Rose, based locally with trainer Richard Vega, won the first two starts of her career before she was ambitiously spotted in the Grade 2 Matron. She flashed speed for a half-mile before fading badly, but has prepped for this spot with three workouts, including a pair of bullets.

Saintly Rose also has the pedigree to be a good runner. Her half-brother Rojo Toro won the Grade 2 San Rafael in 2003.