Demoiselle runner-up returns in Go For Wand Handicap
Highway Star (right) scores a narrow victory in the 2016 Go For Wand Handicap. Pic: Coglianese Photos/Joe Labozzetta.
December 1st, 2017
After an abbreviated 2017 campaign, Jamyson ‘n Ginger is out to score her first graded stakes win in the one-mile Go For Wand Handicap (G3) at Aqueduct Dec. 2.
Jamyson ‘n Ginger was one of the better 2-year-old fillies last year, finishing fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and then finishing runner-up in the Demoiselle Stakes (G2) 12 months ago.
She didn’t reappear until June 1, finishing second in a Belmont Park allowance. Since then she won allowances at Belmont Park Sept. 10 and Aqueduct Nov. 9, and she takes on a field with good graded stakes form here.
Stepping up in trip after a failure in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) is Highway Star. She finished 11th of 14 at Del Mar, a rare inconsistent run after some very good form during the year. Prior to that race she’d won three graded stakes for the year and finished second in the Ballerina Stakes (G1). She won this race last year.
One of Highway Star’s regular rivals has been Verve’s Tale, who seeks her first graded stakes victory of the year. Verve’s Tale won the Summer Colony Stakes at Saratoga and she finished second in the Turnback the Alarm Handicap (G3) at Belmont Park Oct. 28.
Lucy N Ethel has had an abbreviated 2017 campaign but she returned to form when winning the Pumpkin Pie Stakes at Aqueduct Nov. 5. Last year she won the Prioress Stakes (G2) and the Old Hat Stakes (G3).
Going For Broke, second in a Belmont Park allowance Sept. 28, Pumpkin Pie Stakes runner-up Indulgent, and 2016 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) third-place finisher Flora Dora complete the field.
Highway Star is clearly the best performed runner in the field, but the question will be whether the Breeders’ Cup effort was a sign she’s had enough for 2017. If not, she’s a big chance, but claims can be made for most of her rivals.
Jamyson ‘n Ginger was one of the better 2-year-old fillies last year, finishing fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and then finishing runner-up in the Demoiselle Stakes (G2) 12 months ago.
She didn’t reappear until June 1, finishing second in a Belmont Park allowance. Since then she won allowances at Belmont Park Sept. 10 and Aqueduct Nov. 9, and she takes on a field with good graded stakes form here.
Stepping up in trip after a failure in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) is Highway Star. She finished 11th of 14 at Del Mar, a rare inconsistent run after some very good form during the year. Prior to that race she’d won three graded stakes for the year and finished second in the Ballerina Stakes (G1). She won this race last year.
One of Highway Star’s regular rivals has been Verve’s Tale, who seeks her first graded stakes victory of the year. Verve’s Tale won the Summer Colony Stakes at Saratoga and she finished second in the Turnback the Alarm Handicap (G3) at Belmont Park Oct. 28.
Lucy N Ethel has had an abbreviated 2017 campaign but she returned to form when winning the Pumpkin Pie Stakes at Aqueduct Nov. 5. Last year she won the Prioress Stakes (G2) and the Old Hat Stakes (G3).
Going For Broke, second in a Belmont Park allowance Sept. 28, Pumpkin Pie Stakes runner-up Indulgent, and 2016 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) third-place finisher Flora Dora complete the field.
Highway Star is clearly the best performed runner in the field, but the question will be whether the Breeders’ Cup effort was a sign she’s had enough for 2017. If not, she’s a big chance, but claims can be made for most of her rivals.
ADVERTISEMENT
