The Mean Queen fitting winner of Jonathan Sheppard Steeplechase

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - It was redemption for jockey Thomas Garner and a fitting victory for trainer Keri Brion when The Mean Queen captured Wednesday’s Grade 1, $150,000 Jonathan Sheppard Steeplechase Stakes at Saratoga.

Four weeks ago, Garner was aboard The Mean Queen in the Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes. Well clear of the field and on her way to victory with a furlong remaining, The Mean Queen ducked in and unseated Garner, snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory.

There were no issues Wednesday as The Mean Queen, who raced third for most of the trip, moved into second before the last of nine fences, then rallied past pace-setting stablemate Baltimore Bucko and galloped home an easy 4 3/4-length winner of the Sheppard. Baltimore Bucko, held off French Light by a nose for second as Brion-trained runners finished 1-2-3 in the race, renamed this year for her former boss Jonathan Sheppard.

This race was previously known as the New York Turf Writers’ Steeplechase Cup, but was renamed to honor the Hall of Fame trainer who retired earlier this year. Sheppard won the New York Turf Writers’ Cup 15 times.

“You can’t script it, can you?” Brion said afterward. “They all ran great. Unbelievable.”

Brion worked for Sheppard for 11 years.

For Garner, the victory was equally as meaningful considering what happened in the Kiser. Garner said that in the Kiser, the filly ducked down to the rail “where horses feel a bit more comfortable.”

“I corrected her and as I corrected her she corrected herself too quickly and I went off the side,” he said. “I put it behind me very quickly. If I dwelled on it, I think it would have hurt me a lot more. We made amends.”

Garner said The Mean Queen was a little strong for the first part of the race.

“The moment I got her settled she traveled so great, she jumped so great, she was everything you want in a filly like that,” he said. “I couldn’t be happier.”

The Mean Queen has come a long way quickly. The Sheppard was only her seventh start. She only won her first race in April. She had won three straight before the Kiser incident.

Brion said James Doyle of Baltimore Stable in Ireland recommended that her owners purchase The Mean Queen. Rod and Alice Moorhead of Buttonwood Farm heeded that advice.

The first-two finishers were owned by Buttonwood Farm.

“What could you ask for?” Rod Moorhead said. “One-two is great. I’m very happy and I’ll replay the race so I can see it over and over again.”

The Mean Queen covered the 2 3/8 miles over nine National fences in 4:40.14 and returned $3.60 as the favorite.