Stellar Jayne wins en route to retirement

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - It wasn't the race her connections hoped Stellar Jayne would win to end her career, but it was a win nonetheless.

Under a persevering Jerry Bailey, Stellar Jayne ran down a game Bohemian Lady to win Friday's Grade 2, $150,00 by a half-length before a chilled crowd of 3,205 at Aqueduct. It was 4 1/4 lengths back to Seeking the Ante in third.

The Top Flight marked the final race for Stellar Jayne, who was scheduled to head to Jonabell Farm on Sunday. Stellar Jayne, owned by Godolphin Racing, will be bred next year.

Stellar Jayne, a multiple Grade 1 winner, ran in the Top Flight Handicap because her connections were left cold after a fourth-place finish in last month's Breeders' Cup Distaff.

Under Bailey, Stellar Jayne settled into fourth position early as Bohemian Lady, under Jose Santos, carved out quick fractions of 22.61 seconds and 45.01 while being chased by A Song in A Minor and Ender's Sister.

Stellar Jayne ($3.40), who raced four wide down the backside, moved into second turning for home and was able to wear down a drifting-out Bohemian Lady in the final 30 yards. Stellar Jayne, a daughter of Wild Rush, ran the mile in 1:35.94.

"I figured if they outran me by any substantial margin, they're going too fast," said Bailey, who won two races on the card and has won five consecutive races dating back to Nov. 19.

"She didn't particularly feel comfortable in between horses, so I just opted to get her out," Bailey said. "I really didn't think [Bohemian Lady] wanted to go that far. Off of those early splits, if everybody ran according to form, I'd get there."

Rick Mettee, the assistant trainer for Godolphin Racing, said he got worried when Bohemian Lady shook clear in midstretch.

"Bohemian Lady, I thought, was the one to beat," Mettee said. "When I saw that 45 [half-mile fraction] I thought that might soften her up more than it did."

Stellar Jayne retires with a record of 9-2-3 from 22 starts and career earnings of $1,534,964. Her Grade 1 victories include the Mother Goose, Gazelle, and Ruffian.