South Andros takes off-the-turf Justakiss

Morning rains transformed Thursday’s $50,000 Justakiss Stakes at Delaware Park from a competitive, 14-horse turf race into a less appealing six-horse dirt contest. In the end, South Andros, 15-1 on the original morning line, paid $7.40.

South Andros, trained by Rodney Jenkins, has been rejuvenated in her 4-year-old season. One for 11 last year at 3, she is now 3 for 4 this year with all of her wins coming in off-the-turf races. Her only loss came in her lone turf start.

In the 1 1/16-mile Justakiss, South Andros lagged near the back of the compact field through a slow opening quarter of 25.25 and a quicker second quarter of 24.40 seconds. She moved up to challenge four wide on the far turn through a 24.27 third quarter – the fastest of the race – and then edged clear in the stretch to win by a length.

Runner-up She’s Not Lazy raced a bit closer to the early pace than the winner, challenged three wide on the turn but was outfinished while 1 1/2 lengths clear of third-place Bryan’s Jewel.

Bryan’s Jewel was odds-on for most of the betting but drifted up to 6-5 at post time. She raced just inside South Andros early, was forced to await room behind the four-horse scrum for the lead on the far turn, then lacked the needed kick once clear.

South Andros, a Virginia-bred daughter of Sky Mesa, races for her breeder, Chance Farm, and Hillwood Stable. She was timed in 1:45.50 over a fast track and was ridden by Xavier Perez.