Merlin's Jewel rally pays off in Petticoat

Merlin's Jewel became a stakes winner on Saturday night when she rallied for a 1 3/4-length win over Wicked Factor in the $50,000 Petticoat at the Downs at Albuquerque.

It was another 3 1/2 lengths back to favorite Three Diamonds in third.

The Petticoat was for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs. The winner covered the distance on a fast track in 1:09.76.

Merlin’s Jewel ($11.40) settled off the pace set by Mighty Nice, who took the field through an opening quarter in 21.64 seconds and a half-mile in 44.06 while under pressure. Merlin’s Jewel advanced on the turn and went on to a clear win under Tracy Hebert.

Larry Chavez trains Merlin’s Jewel, a daughter of Drosselmeyer who races for her co-breeder, Mike Abraham. She also was bred by Jacob Nance.

Merlin’s Jewel was winning her second straight race following an allowance at SunRay Park in Farmington, N.M. She earned $30,000 for her win in the Petticoat. Merlin’s Jewel has now won three races from eight starts and earned $53,552.