Donver Stable’s Careless Jewel won just as a 3-10 favorite is supposed to, as the talented filly led every step of the way in a no-doubt-about-it 3 1/2-length victory in the $750,000 Fitz Dixon Cotillion (gr. II) (VIDEO) Oct. 3 at Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack.
Her third straight convincing graded stakes win and fifth consecutive triumph overall, Careless Jewel confirmed her status as one of the leading contenders for the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (gr. I) Nov. 6 at Santa Anita Park. The 3-year-old gray/roan daughter of Tapit is trained by Josie Carroll.
Under the handling of regular rider Robert Landry, Careless Jewel broke sharply from post 1 and went right to the front while being swung away from the rail. She was well-held through testing fractions of :22.93, :45.72, and 1:09.34 while Cat Moves tracked her. Mary’s Follies and Just Jenda raced in the next group.
Landry peeked back nearing the quarter-pole to survey any threats, but Careless Jewel was clear of the field turning for home. She had a 3 1/2-length advantage with a furlong remaining and after a couple of left-handed taps by Landry in upper stretch, maintained her advantage while cruising to the wire.
The final time over a “fast” main track was 1:41.40. Bon Jovi Girl rallied from last to get second, 1 1/4 lengths better than 59-1 Key Lime Baby.
Winner of the July 18 Delaware Oaks (gr. II) by 7 1/4 lengths and the Aug. 22 Alabama (gr. I) by 11 lengths, Careless Jewel is undefeated in stakes action. Unraced as a juvenile, her only defeat came in her April 5 debut at Keeneland. The Cotillion win put her over $1 million in earnings.
Bred in Kentucky by Gainesway Thoroughbreds and Bill Andrade, Careless Jewel is out of the Hennessy mare Sweet and Careless.
The winner paid $2.60, $2.10, and $2.10. The exacta (1-5) returned $17.40 and the trifecta (1-5-3) was $189.80.