May 20, 2015
There were plenty of good options for the betting public in the Wait A While at BEL on Saturday but a SA shipper proved best for her backers over the boggy conditions as Sassy Jones, fresh off an optional claiming score on the downhill turf, steps up to stakes company and came through on the rail for a solid half-length score. From the first crop of Bali High, who has already produced stakes winner Power And Money, she came in with solid speed ratings and upped her best mark to 93 with the victory, her third in five career starts and first over a soft turf, leading this handicapper to think that bigger things are in store at this same middle sprint distance.
A soft turf at BEL on Saturday led to a different path scenario in the Wait A While and while Une Pouliche de Truc (*2.60) got away well from her middle gate, it was Whiskey Wings (5.10) from the farthest stall who took early command down the soaked backstretch. French Liege (10.10) held her own from an inside gate as Madame Steiners (3.15) took back off the opening split of 23.51 but Whiskey Wings looked strong up front and her only issue was the fact that she could not save any ground heading into the far turn. Engaged from the start and pressed through a wicked half-mile in 47.40, she was finally able to shake off a stubborn Une Pouliche de Truc and get a one-length advantage and into the lane, looked good with the unproven French Liege as her chief challenger. As those two started to battle to the line, Madame Steiners angled to the outside while new shooter Sassy Jones (8.10) moved to the inside and with a furlong to go, Whiskey Wings was all out to hold the lead she had earned from the start. Slowing splits including six-furlongs in 1:12.33 were on her side but in the shadow of the wire, Sassy Jones used that inside split to sprint clear and earn a half-length win over Whiskey Wings, who held Madame Steiners at bay by the slimmest of margins for second. French Liege did well to earn fourth over a closing Spanish Princess (6.85), Viva Steel (8.90) came wide with little effort and Secretary (13.55) and Une Pouliche de Truc finished near the back of the pack that produced a very slow final time and a surprisingly low speed rating as well.
Sassy Jones shipped from SA off a series of good efforts and did all she needed to do to win the Wait A While, while saving plenty of energy for future races own the line at seven-furlongs and even a flat mile. The Wild Applause going slightly longer over this same course would be right up her alley and give her a chance to stretch her legs out even more but the Grade III Senorita Stakes at SA offers her a trip back to SA and that might be the more tempting option for this lightly raced and well-balanced filly.
Congratulations goes out to owner Bigking and their three-year-old filly Sassy Jones, an rallying winner of the inaugural Wait A While at BEL!
Prediction Whiskey Wings / French Liege / Sassy Jones
Winner Sassy Jones
Three-year-old black filly
Bali High-Small Town Flirt (Kinzys Spirit)
Owner Bigking
Time 23.51, 47.40, 1:12.33, 1:25.32
Overall
Sassy Jones 8.10 sat back, came through horses, up in time
Whiskey Wings 5.10 set good pace, all out late, tired in last jumps
Madame Steiners 3.15 wide trip, even finish, missed second
French Liege 10.10 held well inside throughout
Spanish Princess 6.85 minor late rally
Viva Steel 8.90 no threat
Secretary 13.55 outrun
Une Pouliche de Truc *2.60 brief pace, faded badly
Triple T Racing 🙂
Categories: Ungraded
