Just The Judge overcomes bad start to take E.P. Taylor

ETOBICOKE, Ontario—The favored English filly Just The Judge came on strongly in the lane and held off Odeliz late to take Sunday’s Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes, the supporting feature on Canadian International Day at Woodbine.

Just The Judge ($5.20) was prepping for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, and her connections indicated that she appears to be on target for that Nov. 1 engagement at Santa Anita.

“I was trying not to give her too hard a race, because obviously, it’s a stepping-stone towards the Breeders’ Cup,” said jockey Jamie Spencer. “The plan was just to win here, and ship on down. She won, but I would have preferred for it to have gone a little smoother.”

Spencer was referring to his awkward break, during which he nearly came out of the saddle. Just The Judge proceeded to race towards the back of the pack, as Wall of Sound set moderate fractions in the 10-furlong turf event.

Just The Judge emerged from traffic in mi-stretch to take control, and got home on by a half-length over the wide-closing Odeliz. The winning time, over a course rated “good,” was 2:03.47.

Deceptive Vision, who finished another two lengths back in third, was followed by Wall of Sound, Eyeful, Angel Terrace, Royal Fury, and Meri Shika.

Just the Judge, who won last year’s Irish 1000 Guineas, earned $300,000 of the $510,000 purse. She is trained by Charlie Hills.

“The main thing is that she won, which is great for Quatar Racing and the Sangster family,” Spencer said. “She won a classic last year, and now she’s won a Grade 1 over [10 furlongs] as a 4-year-old.”