Fresh off a visually impressive victory in an unranked stakes race on Nov. 19, CRK Stable’s just leads a field of seven sophomore fillies as they race seven furlongs in the $200,000 Santa Ynez Stakes (G3) on Jan. 1 at Santa Anita Park.
Formed by John Shirreffs, Justique, in a performance from behind reminiscent of the great Zeniatta walked through the gate in the Desi Arnaz Stakes seven furlongs to Of the sea On November 19, was about 10 lengths from the half mile head to post, found herself in contention as she was herself around the far bend and won in her own way by 2 1/ 4 lengths under a hand from Victor Espinoza.
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In 2018 winner of the triple crown To justify out of Bernardines Mare Thank you a lot , Justique sold for $725,000 at Mayberry Farm in the September 2021 Keeneland yearling sale of the Glenwood Farm consignment. She is a half-sister of City of Mo (Uncle Mo ), winner of the 2016 Remsen Stakes (G2) and the 2017 Hollywood Derby (G1T), both 1 1/8 miles away.
Justique went largely unnoticed on her 5 1/2 furlong debut on July 31, as she won the pace from afar at odds of 8-1.
Subsequently third, beaten 5 1/2 lengths at 6-5 as she extended to 1 1/16 miles in the Chandelier Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita on October 8, Justique was nonetheless favored when she was 3-2 in the Desi Arnaz.
Slow in her three starts, Justique will likely use similar tactics as she takes on a competitive group of classmates that will include three Bob Baffert trainees.
The formation of Richard Mandella ice dancing an impressive first gate length winner at the wire running a mile on Nov. 25 in Del Mar, finished half a length behind Justique two starts back in the Chandelier Stakes and is now down to one lap.
A gray or roan filly by Frosted, Ice Dancing who is owned by Ramona and Perry Bass and bred in Kentucky by their Bass Stables, finished third in the TVG Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) with seven eighths starting and will be ridden by Mike Smith in what will be his fifth career start and his third engagement with graduated stakes.
Of Baffert’s three participants—chasingcoco , Parody and Fast and brilliant (completed) – Parody, seems to have the most speed, while Huntingcoco, an early 6 3/4 length winner who was beaten by double digits in two subsequent entries, most recently a fifth place finish behind Justique in the Desi Arnaz, may have the most advantages.
Also note the presence of Lily Caca who joins trainer Michael McCarthy’s barn after a private purchase by owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners following a first win Dec. 2 at Del Mar in his third career outing.
Inputs: Santa Ynez S. (G3)
Santa Anita Park, Sunday January 1, 2023, Race 7
- Class III
- 7f
- Dirt
- $200,000
- 3 year old fillies
- 3:00 p.m. (local time)
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
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