Troubled Justice draws away to win Snack Stakes
Odds-on favorite Troubled Justice comfortably won the $77,500 Snack Stakes on Wednesday at Indiana Grand, but heavily favored Mizzen Ash was undone by a moderate pace and a wide trip in the $78,200 Ellen’s Lucky Star, where 5-1 shot Voodoo Justice led all the way.
Both grass races for Indiana-bred 3-year-olds were run at one mile over a yielding turf course. The Ellen’s Lucky Star was restricted to fillies.
Troubled Justice ($3.20) won his career debut, a June 22 Indiana-bred turf route, with such ease that his connections threw him straight into stakes competition. Troubled Justice did not disappoint. Settling in fourth under Samuel Bermudez, Troubled Justice pounced on pacesetting Nobody Listens at about the eighth pole and drew away to a two-length victory.
“He was so big, we just decided to be patient and wait,” said Aaron West, who trains Troubled Justice for his breeder, Justice Farm. “We were two works away from running last year and we shut him down.”
Nobody Listens, the second choice, held second by more than two lengths over third choice A Few Too Many in a very formful heat. The winner, a son of Dominus and the Lemon Drop Kid mare, Kissin Kendall, was timed in 1:37.87.
Voodoo Justice ($13.40) went the first half-mile of the Ellen’s Lucky Star in just less than 50 seconds, a tepid pace even given conditions, and after being swarmed by closers at the furlong grounds, she pushed clear again to win by 1 3/4 lengths. The next six horses home were separated by about one length, with Taperinea earning the place over Swift Temple. Mizzen Ash, the 6-5 favorite, was stuck very wide around the second turn and finished fourth.
Orlando Mojica rode Voodoo Justice for trainer Antonio Duran and owner Rancho Monarcha. The filly, by Harry’s Holiday out of Vain Vixen, by Good and Tough, also was bred by Justice Farm. Winning time for her mile was 1:39.74.