Augustin Stable's Delight (Mendelssohn) became the first black-type winner for her freshman sire (by Scat Daddy) with a dominant score in Keeneland's GII J.P. Morgan Chase Jessamine S. The race was a “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf S. to be held in Lexington Nov. 4.
Hustling up to contest the pace through a :24.32 opening quarter, the 7-2 shot gained a clear lead after that point, clocking a half-mile in :49.61. Showing the way into the lane, Delight rolled clear with ease for a dominant 5 1/2-length victory over Knockyoursocksoff (Kitten's Joy).
“(I credit her) good owner (for the progress she's made since April), letting us take our time and pick the appropriate spots,” said winning trainer Jonathan Thomas. “Her ability to relax (impressed me most today). We were hoping to get her covered up, but she really relaxed. I love seeing her ears twitching back and forth. You're always hoping you have horse, and she kicked away. That's when you see (jockey) Luis (Saez) really, really good, when he's on the lead like that. He's so well rounded, but that's when he's absolutely brilliant.”
“It was pretty easy (to get her to relax on the front end),” said Saez. “The plan was to follow somebody and have a target for the lead, but she broke so well and did it on her own. She controlled the pace and relaxed beautiful. When she came to the top of the stretch, it was all about her. She (accelerated) pretty fast (at the top of the stretch). She had a big turn of foot and I didn't really have to do anything – just keep going on with her and she did it.”
A $105,000 RNA at Keeneland September, Delight sold for $90,000 at the OBS October Sale and blossomed into a $400,000 OBSMAR juvenile after breezing in :10 1/5. Third behind a 'TDN Rising Star' performance from Love Reigns (Ire) (U S Navy Flag) on debut in a 5 1/2-panel event at this oval Apr. 29, she filled the same spot when stretched to two turns at Saratoga Aug. 7. She earned her diploma next out with a facile score going ½ furlongs at Delaware 20 days later.
Pedigree Notes:
In addition to being Mendelssohn's first black-type winner, Delight is one of 16 winners for that Coolmore stallion. She is the 26th graded winner out of a daughter of Medaglia d'Oro. Her unraced dam Honey Trap is a half to stakes winners Little Nick V. (Colonel John) and Now Spun (Hard Spun). Delight is the mare's first foal and she has since produced a yearling filly by The Factor and a 2022 filly by Vekoma. She was bred back to Lexitonian.
Friday, Keeneland
JPMORGAN CHASE JESSAMINE S.-GII, $320,463, Keeneland, 10-7, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 1:44.14, fm.
1–DELIGHT, 118, f, 2, by Mendelssohn
1st Dam: Honey Trap, by Medaglia d'Oro
2nd Dam: Campionessa, by A.P. Indy
3rd Dam: Pacific Squall, by Storm Bird
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($105,000 RNA Ylg '21 KEESEP; $90,000 Ylg '21 OBSOCT; $400,000 2yo '22 OBSMAR). O-Augustin Stable; B-Hickstead Farm (FL); T-Jonathan Thomas; J-Luis Saez. $169,725. Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-2, $211,905. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Knockyoursocksoff, 118, f, 2, Kitten's Joy–Fateer, by Eskendereya. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($80,000 RNA Wlg '20 KEENOV). O-Town and Country Racing, LLC; B-Zayat Stables (KY); T-Chris M. Block. $63,875.
3–Bling, 118, f, 2, American Pharoah–Blonde Bomber, by Fort Larned. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($160,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-G. Watts Humphrey, Jr.; B-Clarkland Farm LLC (KY); T-Victoria H. Oliver. $31,938.
Margins: 5, NK, 3/4. Odds: 3.84, 6.23, 10.29.
Also Ran: Sabalenka, C C Cruise Control, Dulcia, Happy Gal, Towhead, Blind Spot, Stephanie's Charm, Recognize, Promise of Hope. Scratched: Aztec Nights, Play the Music, Southlawn, Tax Implications (GB).
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
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