Kantarmaci reroutes Evvie Jets to Churchill Distaff Turf Mile

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Evvie Jets, the multiple graded stakes-winning turf mare, has a new target for her 6-year-old debut.

Originally being pointed to Friday’s Grade 1 Jenny Wiley at Keeneland, Evvie Jets was not entered in that spot and instead will be aimed at the Grade 2, $750,000 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile on the undercard of the May 4 Kentucky Derby.

Trainer Mertkan Kantarmaci said he prefers the mile for Evvie Jets’ return race since she has not competed since last October when she finished third behind Gina Romantica in the Grade 1 First Lady going a mile at Keeneland. The Jenny Wiley, which features the seasonal debut of Gina Romantica, is run at 1 1/16 miles.

“It’s a big field and I don’t want to run her in a race that may not be at her best distance,” Kantarmaci said. “And it looks like a couple of extra weeks would help her as well.”

Evvie Jets, who won the Grade 2 Ballston Spa at Saratoga last summer, has had six workouts over the Belmont Park training track since March 4.

Evvie Jets is also nominated to the $150,000 Plenty of Grace Stakes at Aqueduct on April 21, a race she won last year. But Kantarmaci said he believes Evvie Jets “deserves the shot to be in a big race,” he said.

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