Stellar Jayne's win marred by spill

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - In a race that most fans will remember for an ugly spill in deep stretch, Stellar Jayne drove to victory Saturday in the 35th running of the $112,300 Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs.

The Pocahontas was marred by the breakdown and subsequent euthanization of Sweet Jo Jo, who had taken command from a tightly bunched pack of 2-year-old fillies in deep stretch and appeared poised to win the Pocahontas. But then the filly began to labor badly, and she broke down with about 40 yards to go, allowing an onrushing Stellar Jayne and jockey Cornelio Velasquez to go on to a 2 1/2-length triumph as the 2-1 favorite.

Corey Lanerie, who rode Sweet Jo Jo for trainer Steve Asmussen, suffered an unspecified leg injury after apparently being stepped on by a trailing horse. Lanerie was ambulatory and otherwise not seriously hurt.

Stellar Jayne, a gray filly by Wild Rush, was far back in the early stages of the one-mile Pocahontas before wheeling out into the middle of the track, where she avoided the spill.

"Everybody hates to see that," said D. Wayne Lukas, who trains Stellar Jayne for a partnership headed by Spendthrift Farm. "I thought our filly was going right by and was a winner, but obviously you don't like that kind of thing to happen."

Stellar Jayne returned $6 after finishing in 1:38.97 over a fast surface. The Pocahontas was her third victory from four lifetime starts.

Turn to Lass finished second by a nose over Sister Star. Marina de Chavon, the 6-1 third choice, finished another half-length behind in fourth.

Turn to Lass was ridden by John McKee, who replaced Robby Albarado, who missed Thursday and Friday because of a kidney ailment, and suffered what he described as a jammed wrist before Saturday's first race and took off his mounts after riding the fourth race.