Miss J McKay repeats in Abundantia
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. -- Miss J McKay rallied to a 1 1/4-length victory over Imagery in Saturday’s $100,000 Abundantia Stakes at Gulfstream Park, not only successfully defending her title in the five-furlong filly-mare turf sprint fixture but perhaps extending her racing career in the process.
With jockey Tyler Gaffalione aboard, Miss J McKay rated near the rear of the nine-horse field after being knocked around at the start, angled five wide into the stretch, then finished full of run down the center of the course to readily overtake the tiring leaders and win going away. Imagery stalked the pace from the inside, slipped through on the rail to continue willingly down the lane but proved no match for the winner while a neck better than Stony Point for the placing.
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Static Fire, the somewhat surprising 2-1 favorite, raced forwardly to the stretch and fell back steadily to finish a disappointing eighth.
Miss J McKay, who used similar stretch-running tactics to win the 2021 Abundantia by 1 1/2 lengths, is owned in partnership by her trainer, Christophe Clement, along with Oakwood Stables and Cheyenne Stables LLC. She completed the distance in 56.68 seconds and paid $9.80 for her sixth victory in 20 lifetime starts.
“The original plan was to run her this winter and put her in foal, but after the way she won today, I think everything is up in the air,” said Miguel Clement, assistant trainer for his father. “I’m sure my father and his partners will think about that afterwards. She’s been a little unlucky in some of her races this past year but her ‘A’ races have been pretty spectacular to watch.”
Belgrano rallies to take Janus
Carotari’s attempt to follow Miss McKay’s lead by defending his crown in the $100,000 Janus Stakes was not as successful, last year’s winner finishing fourth behind the late-running Belgrano, who rallied to a head decision over the 2-1 Nothing Better. Agent Peter Green was third.
Belgrano, who celebrates his ninth birthday next week, raced well placed mid-pack off a contentious pace, steadied briefly on the turn before angling out and running down Nothing Better in the closing strides. The latter contested the issue from the outset, moved clear through midstretch, held gamely, but could not resist the winner at the end.
Carotari, a wire-to-wire, 1 3/4-length winner of the 2021 Janus, prompted the early running while saving ground but lacked the necessary closing response, ultimately finishing nearly three lengths behind the winner.
Belgrano, a son of War Front, registered his ninth career win while increasing his earnings to more than $520,000 in 45 lifetime starts. Trained by Frank Russo for Peace Sign Stables, Belgrano paid $23.60 after completing five furlongs over a “good” course in 55.94 seconds.
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