Undefeated JK She'salady ($2.90) equaled the 1:50.1 world record for 2-year-old pacing fillies in the $480,000 She's A Great Lady Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack. JK She'salady equaled the record, originally set by I Luv The Nitelife in her 2012 elimination at Mohawk Racetrack and matched by 2013 champion Precocious Beauty while racing at The Red Mile.
The homebred Art Major-Presidential Lady filly, now six-for-six in her career with $326,425 banked in purses, is trained by Nancy Johansson for the 3 Brothers Stables.
Happy Becky (David Miller) fired off the gate from post six with another undefeated filly in Band Of Angels (Ron Pierce) getting away second and Bettor Be Steppin (Corey Callahan) parked from post seven and advancing. Bettor Be Steppin eventually cleared to command after a :26.4 opening quarter, but her time on the lead didn't last long as Band Of Angels was on the move early and took over as they raced to the half in :55.
Meanwhile, heavy 1-2 favorite JK She'salady and driver Yannick Gingras were flushed first-over from fourth down the backstretch and swept by Band Of Angels en route to three-quarters in 1:22.1. She began to draw off into the stretch and cruised home to win by four lengths. Bedroomconfessions (Scott Zeron) came on for second while Shakai Hanover (Jody Jamieson) finished third.
"Baby racing I liked her; I wouldn't say I thought she was that kind of filly," said Gingras of his initial assessment of the full-sister to North America Cup champion JK Endofanera. "They've done a great job because every start she keeps getting better and better and better. Last week, she really, really impressed me. She went a big mile last week and that's when I thought she really stamped herself as the best filly."
Gingras noted choosing between driving elimination winners JK She'salady and Band Of Angels "was the toughest decision as far as horse racing that I've ever had to make.
"I thought JK She'salady was the best filly out of the two, but there was the Ron Burke factor (with Band Of Angels) and Mr. Donovan, I drive Maven for him and went to Sweden and she's given me a great thrill. So it was a very, very tough decision as far as connections go. I'm sorry, I had to pick one and I went for the win, but I'm sure I'll pay it back towards Ronnie real soon."
The Show Returns $12.20) was victorious in the $30,000 She's A Great Lady Consolation with David Miller driving for trainer Chris Ryder and owners Richard Young and Joanne Young.
She brushed to the lead down the backside, and after giving way to Cashaway (Tim Tetrick), slipped through along the pylons in the stretch to prevail by two and a quarter lengths in a career-best 1:52. Favorite Dancin Caroll (Randy Waples) closed well to finish second over fellow Tony Alagna trainee Cashaway.
Purchased for $180,000 at the Lexington Select Sale as a yearling, the Rocknroll Hanover-Stienam's Place filly is a full sister to the Youngs' double millionairess Put On A Show, who won the 2009 She's A Great Lady final in 1:52. The Show Returns notched her second win in seven career starts and has earnings of $35,399. (SC)
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