Ginger And Fred, Showherthemoney win Jugette elims

Ginger And Fred posted a 1 1/4-length win in the first of the two eliminations for the $35,000 Jugette for 3-year-old filly pacers Wednesday afternoon at Delaware, Ohio, while Showherthemoney--at overwhelming odds of 1-9--threw a scare into her connections and backers at the wagering windows when she made a break at the start in the second elim before recovering and coming back for a hard-fought victory.

 

In the first elim, Pedigree Snob was first to the front from post six for driver Jim Morrill Jr., but shortly past the opening quarter Dave Palone sent favorite Ginger And Fred out from the two hole and into the lead. Ginger And Fred danced her way through a :55.2 half and 1:24 three quarters, turning into the stretch with a three-length lead. She coasted to the wire with 1 1/4 lengths to spare over the late-closing runner-up Special Sweetheart, directed by David Miller. Kabbalah Karen B finished third, with West Of LA finishing fourth and earning a return ticket for the second heat.

 

Ron Burke trains Ginger And Fred for owners Howard taylor, Robert Feldman, Ed Gold and Jerry Silva.

 

The crowd at Delaware let out a collective "gasp" at the start of the second elim when Showherthemoney went offstride before the start, and driver Jim Morrill Jr. said later he did the same. The miscue left Warrawee Kay and driver Ron Pierce to easily take the early lead, with John Campbell tucking in second with Kiss Me Kate.

 

As the lead horses remained unchanged and Showherthemoney regained her gait, Morrill made a wide move approaching the three quarters, and by the time the field came out of the last turn the bay filly had come up alongside the leader. Despite the tough journey, Showherthemoney was able to keep her head in front of a late-closing Kiss Me Kate at the wire in 1:53.2. Warrawee Kay held for third, with Cams Van Go fourth.

 

"She was on a line," said Morrill in the winner's circle, adding that he expected trainer Tracy Brainard to make some equipment changes for the second heat.

 

Morrill said he had no choice but to make a bold move with his charge if he expected her to advance. "At that point I didn't want to take hold of her. I didn't know (what to expect) but I knew I had to go for it."

 

Bulletproof Enterprises owns Showherthemoney, who was coming off a world record-equaling 1:49 win in the Nadia Lobell Sept. 14 at The Red Mile.