1 KEE Jessamine (GII) [BC] Filly 2yo 1 1/16m Turf
Using her tactical speed to stay in striking distance throughout, Hollywood Greek brought home the Jessamine (GII) [BC] to Chili King Stables, getting the mile and a sixteenth in 1:40.58 and clearing this tightly bunched group by two lengths. Mesquite closed well to secure the place spot for Mb Stables and Hollywood Do Over was third for Estro Farms in a race that saw seven lengths cover the entire field.
The full field of twelve loaded up in front of the huge crowd at KEE on a brisk, overcast day here in Lexington, and as the gates flew open and the bell rang, Textes From My Exes was on the gas early, Notorious Dreamer and Hollywood Do Over from the outside, Hollywood Greek and Lewd Acts back towards the inside, All Inclusive just off of that pair, then Audrey Hepburn. Another length back to Cherokee Five, Ready To Roll outside of that one and Golden Niagra between that pair, Take The Fifth along the rail and Mesquite was the early trailer from the outside.
Around the clubhouse turn and on to the backside with six furlongs to run, the opening quarter went in 23.55 and Textes From My Exes was setting the pace, Notorious Dreamer between horses in hot pursuit, Hollywood Greek along the rail and All Inclusive from her outside. Lewd Acts in good position behind that group with Hollywood Do Over to her outside. Another length back to Audrey Hepburn saving ground on the hedge, Ready To Roll three wide and Cherokee Five between that pair. Mesquite caught wide through the turn was next, Golden Niagra next to that one and Take The Fifth was now the trailer at the rail.
Continue down the backside and to the far turn with three and a half furlongs to run, they’d gone a half mile in 47.12 and All Inclusive was up to take the lead from Textes From My Exes. A length and a half back to Notorious Dreamer, Hollywood Greek to her inside, Lewd Acts tucked in between horses and Hollywood Do over to the outside of that one. Two Lengths back to Audrey Hepburn, Ready To Roll three wide and Cherokee Five between that pair, then a gap of two back to Mesquite, still wide, Golden Niagra and Take The Fifth could still see them all, eight lengths covering the field.
Around the turn to the top of the lane and just a furlong and a half left in this one, the three-quarters in a brisk 1:10.69 and it was tightening up… All Inclusive with a nose in front of Hollywood Greek, Textes From My Exes couldn’t go on, Hollywood Do Over, Notorious Dreamer and Lewd Act lined up for the drive, Audrey Hepbrun with a clear path down the rail and Ready To Roll widest of all. Another length back to Take The Fifth, Mesquite asked to run from outside spot, Golden Niagra with a lot of work to do and Cherokee Five was now the trailer.
Deep stretch and inside the final sixteenth of a mile, Hollywood Greek kicked clear and was now in front by nearly two lengths and had her sight set of the win. All Inclusive was digging in for the drive with Hollywood Do Over giving chase. Ready To Roll was very wide but clear for the drive, Mesquite found a hole and was moving forward as the remainder made a lineup of chase trying to find a way home.
Down to the wire, there was no catching Hollywood Greek on this evening as she skipped home in front by two widening lengths to claim the victory. Mexquite made a good late move to secure the second spot with Hollywood Do Over in third. All Inclusive flattened out a bit in the late stages to be fourth with Audrey Hepburn using a rail trip to be fifth. Ready To Roll was sixth, Golden Niagra a head back in seventh and Take The Fifth was eighth, just a nose in front of pace setter Textes From My Exes. Notorious Dreamer was tenth, Lewd Acts tiring to be eleventh with Cherokee Five, both of those hitting the line together.
Hollywood Greek is a 2yo bay filly by Hollywood Freak – Over The Horizon by El Gran Latro, and was bred in ON by Greeko Holdem. Acquired via private sale in July, Chili King Stables trains the three-time winner, and the filly runs her earnings to $213.430 and her first graded stakes win. Congrats to the barn and we should see this one on BC Day, as this was a win-and-you’re-in race.
2 – Hollywood Greek 10.90 5.90 4.00 11 – Mequite 9.50 6.20 7 - Hollywood Do Over 41.90 $1 Exacta 2-11 55.10 $1 Trifecta 2-11-7 632.60
Categories: Grade II
