Pure Justice much the best in Emerald Necklace Stakes

In a field of fillies looking for a breakthrough, it was Pure Justice who rolled to a 6 3/4-length victory in Saturday's $75,000 Emerald Necklace Stakes for Ohio-accredited 2-year-old fillies at Thistledown.

The nine-horse field for the Emerald Necklace was largely inexperienced. Only Pure Justice and Mandi's Pride came in with maiden victories to their credit. Four came in as maidens, and the field included three debut starters.

Pure Justice ($3.60), who is owned and trained by R. Gary Patrick, posted her prior win in her third career start, romping to a 15 3/4-length maiden victory at Belterra Park. Off that, she springboarded into the deep end of the division’s stakes, finishing sixth in the $150,000 John W. Galbreath Memorial Stakes on the Best of Ohio Day.

Linda N Michelle, one of the maidens in the field, shook off Mandi's Pride for a length lead through a brisk opening quarter of 22.40 seconds. No Truer rolled up three wide around those two around the far turn, and came to even terms with Linda N Michelle in upper stretch. But Pure Justice, who had sat fourth under regular rider Edgar Paucar, was full of run once straightened away, and came powering down the middle of the track to win going away. She stopped the clock in 1:14.02.

Silky Tassels rallied to edge No Truer by half a length for second, with the latter nosing out Birdacious to complete the trifecta. Silky Tassels and No Truer were both debut starters.