Meadowlands: JK First Lady prevails in lone Three Diamonds elimination

JK First Lady, the first foal out of former Horse of the Year and Three Diamonds winner JK She'salady, captured the single $20,000 elimination of that stakes event for 2-year-old filly pacers in 2019 at the Meadowlands on Saturday night. Yannick Gingras was in the sulky behind JK First Lady, who led eight qualifiers into the November 23 final.

Hen Party blasted out to early control for Tyler Buter, cutting the quarter in 27 3/5 before ceding command to 3-2 betting choice Marloe Hanover and David Miller on the backstretch. Marloe Hanover, a recent winner in the Kindergarten Classic final, took the field to the half in 56 1/5 and continued to control the pace kindly as Perfect Storm rallied up without cover, towing JK First Lady and Gingras into contention as the field hit three-quarters in 1:25 3/5 with the favorite in control.

In the homestretch Marloe Hanover bore out slightly and was attacked on all fronts, with Hen Party on her outer flank and Rocknificent coming up the inside, but JK First Lady, a filly by Western Ideal, had the most pace and stormed over the leaders to win going away in a 1:52 2/5 mile. Marloe Hanover gamely held on to the place spot ahead of Hen Party, with Rocknificent finishing fourth. JK Finendandy, Baby Your The Best, The Bethinator, and Perfect Storm also advanced to the final, joining Lyons Sentinel and Looksgoodinaromper, who took byes.

Nancy Johansson trains JK First Lady, who won for the fourth time in 10 career starts for owner/breeder 3 Brothers Stables. The filly paid $6.80 as the second choice.