Fox Hill Farms' Jostle earned her second consecutive grade I victory Saturday, beating Secret Status to the wire by 3 3/4 lengths in the $750,000 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga. Under jockey Mike Smith, the 3-year-old daughter of Brocco, out of the Drone mare Moon Drone, completed the 1 1/4-miles in 2:04.72 while running over a fast track.
Despite the entry of stablemate and rabbit Valleydar, Secret Status raced close up early as the former set a moderate pace of :24.10 for the opening quarter. Valleydar continued along through a half-mile in :48.75 as Secret Status shuffled back along the rail to fourth, just behind second-place Spain and third-place Jostle.
"I rode her to win," said Valledar's jockey Aaron Gryder. "I was told to ride her to win. I just let her go to the front and tried to get her in stride and be comfortable."
Valleydar completed six furlongs in 1:13.22, leading by a length over Spain with Secret Status now fifth. Valleydar dropped back as Spain and Jostle raced heads apart into the stretch with Jostle maintaining the lead. Jostle quickly kicked clear, extending her lead to 3 3/4 lengths at the wire.
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5 сен 2024
