Justa Lady outgames Brielle's Appeal in Scherer Memorial

Justa Lady’s two Fair Grounds turf races last season were among the worst grass performances of her career, but she had no such issues with the local lawn winning the $75,000 Richie Scherer Memorial Stakes on Saturday.

Under hot-riding James Graham, who teamed up for a third winner this meet with trainer Steve Asmussen, Justa Lady worked out a favorable trip from post 12, seized command of the Scherer Memorial in upper stretch, and then held off resurgent pacesetter Brielle’s Appeal to win by a nose.

She’s All Skeet, who was gaining late on the top two, finished third, a neck behind Brielle’s Appeal and 1 1/2 lengths in front of fourth-place One Last Shot. Last of 14 came 3-1 favorite Excessivespending, who was flat throughout the 5 1/2-furlong dash.

Justa Lady was timed in 1:03.20 over a firm course and paid $16.60 to win.

Five-year-old Justa Lady, a Curtis Green homebred, bounced back to her better form as soon as she departed Fair Grounds in the spring. Asmussen gave her a light campaign the second part of this year and a fresh Justa Lady turned in one of the better performances of her career.

Brielle’s Appeal broke on top and made the front, setting splits of 22.14 and 45.56 seconds. The filly often fades once headed, but on this day she fought back the final 100 yards, nearly getting back on even terms with the winner.

Justa Lady is by More than Ready out of the Pulpit mare, Bet to Win. You wouldn’t have bet Justa Lady to win Saturday based on her previous Fair Grounds experience, but she did just fine in the Scherer.