She's a Julie readies for La Troienne title defense

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – She’s a Julie, a two-time Grade 1 winner, will seek a repeat victory in the Grade 1 La Troienne Stakes on Sept. 4 at Churchill Downs.

On Thursday, She’s a Julie put in a strong five-furlong workout in 59.19 seconds over the Saratoga main track. Under Ricardo Santana Jr., She’s a Julie went her opening three furlongs in 35.56, came home in 23.63, and galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.94 and seven-eighths in 1:27.63.

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“We were looking for a good work this morning,” said Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen.

She’s a Julie won the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps at Belmont in June but then threw in a clunker, finishing a well-beaten seventh in the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher on July 18 at Monmouth Park.

Blasi said he had “no idea” what went amiss in the Molly Pitcher.

“Monmouth’s not for everybody,” he said.