Money'soncharlotte notches fourth straight victory

Money'soncharlotte continued her win streak with a 1 1/4-length victory over Martini Glass in the $200,000 Lady Jacqueline Stakes Saturday at Thistledown, while the latter continued her streak of tough beats in stakes competition.

Money'soncharlotte, trained by Kelly Breen, has now won four consecutive races - three of those stakes. She arrived at Thistledown off a win in the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher Stakes at Monmouth, which was preceded by the Lady's Secret Stakes at the same track. Martini Glass, meanwhile, came into the Lady Jacqueline having finished second by a neck in the Obeah Stakes, and then second by a length to two-time Eclipse Award champion Songbird in the Grade 1 Delaware Handicap last month.

Money'soncharlotte, with Paco Lopez in the irons, stalked the pace set by longshot Put Up With It, a length behind through a half in 48.28 seconds. She edged up to head the leader through six furlongs in 1:13.60 and easily took over to power clear in the lane for the victory. Martini Glass, bumped at the start and steadied early, rallied but had to settle for second, edging Mo d'Amout by three-quarters of a length.

The final time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:51.48.

Earlier in the card, Nikki My Darling turned back the formidable Justalittlesmoke, who had been unbeaten on the season, to win the $75,000 Pay the Man Stakes for Ohio-bred fillies and mares.

Nikki My Darling, with Luis Colon aboard for trainer Jeffrey Radosevich, led wire to wire for the victory, repelling Justalittlesmoke when the favorite drew within a length after six furlongs, and powering clear to an eight-length score. She stopped the clock in 1:43.82 for the 1 1/16-mile race.

Justalittlesmoke held second by 4 1/2 lengths over Star Mabee.

This was the third career stakes victory for Nikki My Darling, who now has back-to-back stakes scores. The filly finished sixth in the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes at Belmont in June and rebounded for a 6 1/2-length win in the Norm Barron Queen City Oaks at Belterra, establishing a track record for 1 1/8 miles.