Nobody comes close to Youalmosthadme in Kentucky Juvenile

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - On paper, Youalmosthadme jumped out as the only prior winner in the field for Thursday's $200,000 Kentucky Juvenile. It was just that easy in reality, as the heavily favored filly cruised home by 8 3/4 lengths over four colts in the first stakes race of the year for 2-year-olds.

"It was a big run today," said Brad Cox, who saddled the filly for the first time after a private purchase. "She was basically racing against the clock."

Youalmosthadme ($2.54), by Oxbow, was a $12,000 purchase at last year’s Keeneland September yearling sale by trainer John Hancock, who is known for developing young horses and being willing to sell them later on. She made her debut on April 19 at Keeneland for Donna Hancock, Richard Royer, and Shaun Stone. After dueling with favored Baraye early, Youalmosthadme took over in the stretch and powered clear to win by 8 1/2 lengths.

She was subsequently sold to a group headed by Qatar Racing, in partnership with Swinbank Stakes, Steve Adkisson, and Black Type Thoroughbreds.

"Really straightforward," Cox said of that new addition to his barn. "We galloped her maybe 10 or 11 days, and stood her in the gate a couple times, brought her over and schooled her twice, as well, and she's done everything asked of her."

:: DRF Kentucky Derby Package: Save on PPs, Clocker Reports, Betting Strategies, and more.

Tyler Gaffalione, aboard on debut, retained the mount Thursday. Youalmosthadme broke from the inside of the small field and scampered clear through an opening quarter of 22.52 seconds on the fast track. Tranche, who had worked sharply following a seventh-place finish in his debut last month at Keeneland, briefly moved up to try to press the favorite, but she easily shook him off, taking a five-length lead into the final furlong and widening as she pleased to her final margin.

She finished the five furlongs in 57.49 seconds.

Lou's Legacy, fourth in his first start at Keeneland, ran on late to overhaul Tranche by a length for second. From the top three, it was 24 lengths back to the first-time starters Lil Anthony and Who's Snow Trouble. Hibernacle was scratched.

Cox indicated that Youalmosthadme is a candidate for further stakes this spring and summer, but that target will have to be determined after she is in the barn longer.

"Looking forward to getting her in our program and breezing her a time or two," he said.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.