Megan Jones's Arnmore Thoroughbreds Records Noteworthy Bows for Juvenile Filly Class

The managing partner of Arnmore Thoroughbreds, co-owner of 'TDN Rising Star' Complexion (Complexity) with Carl and Yurie Pascarella, Megan Jones signed for a now juvenile class of three, and all have hit the board at first-asking, including the one who ultimately landed on the TDN's radar.

“This year we have three fillies that we purchased as yearlings. The first, [New York-bred] Phoebeinwonderland, beat the boys first out. Second was Complexion. Third was Magical Bette who ended up in a boys' race because [her other option] overfilled, and I was really proud of her,” said Jones. “That was my yearling class. They've been such good girls.”

Jones included that Danny Gargan, the trainer of their 'Rising Star', was a major source of encouragement in the early stages of running her ownership and breeding operation.

Complexion was picked up for $400,000 at Keeneland September after not reaching her reserve as a weanling a year prior at the Keeneland November sale when bidding stalled at $335,000. Sent to the shedrow of GI Belmont Stakes-winning trainer Danny Gargan, the flashy chestnut overcame a bobble break at the start of that June 14 unveiling, turned away challenges through the bend, and never looked back from the front end, sailing in to win by 6 1/2 lengths to earn the TDN stamp of approval.

In addition to that 'Rising Star', herself a half-sister to 'TDN Rising Star' MGISW Jack Christopher (Munnings), Jones and the Pascarellas are also partners on Magical Bette (Good Magic), a filly they debuted against the boys June 15 after buying her for $600,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga August Yearling sale. The winner in that contest, Mentee (City of Light), full-brother to champion Fierceness, set a new track record in his nose victory at first asking. Their filly, trained by Bill Mott, would claim third at 14-1 odds.

“Bill just wanted to get a run into her and I was proud she ran third in that really fast race. She was up there early and never gave up. She was [5 3/4] lengths clear of the rest,” Jones said. “You can expect to see her back early in the meet at Saratoga, [and] she should be very live.”

Both fillies earned a 77 Beyer Speed Figure for their efforts.

Gargan praises Jones's keen eye at the sales, an atmosphere which can be intimidating even for seasoned horsepeople, and says there is likely more success to come.

Phoebeinwonderland after her winning debut | Coglianese

“Megan Jones bought Complexion, and she is on some run with her two-year-olds. She had a winner with Wesley [Ward], and then my filly is a TDN Rising Star,” he said. “Her Good Magic filly was third [Magic Bette], so there is a lot of good in the pipeline of that outfit. All fillies, which is pretty neat.”

Gargan also included that Complexion will target the Listed Schuylerville Stakes on opening day of Saratoga July 11 and that the long-term goal for his filly is the GI Spinaway Stakes Aug. 31.

In a separate venture, Jones co-owns the above mentioned Phoebeinwonderland (More Than Ready) with Even Keel Thoroughbreds, who hails from that same Saratoga August sale as Magical Bette, but for a humbler price of $100,000. Trained by Wesley Ward, and also against males but in a state-bred restricted maiden May 10, she overcame a round of bumper cars after the jump in her debut to stalk from second. Chasing the pacesetter and coming three wide heading for home, she gamely gut out the victory by three-quarters of a length in the shadow of the wire.

Jones's exciting run continues this weekend with a stakes entry in the form of another Even Keel Thoroughbreds co-owned runner, namely GIII With Anticipation winner Gala Brand (Violence), who is entered Saturday in the Listed Wild Applause for Bill Mott. Her most recent newcomer from the sales Gellhorn (Volatile), a $250,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-year-old purchase–also a chestnut, has joined the Gargan barn.

“I look at their eye, more than their color. It is a funny coincidence,” Jones said, with a laugh, when asked about her growing chestnut herd. “When they run for you, they run for you. I won't complain about that.”