The 45-1 outsider Trusty Temper, ridden by Justin Shepherd, shook off favored Saarlight in early stretch and repulsed a strong challenge mid-stretch to win the $200,000 Jostle Stakes (VIDEO) by 2 1/2 lengths at Philadelphia Park June 13.
Owned by Mark H. Stanley and trained by Ronny Werner, Trusty Temper paid $92, $38 and $21.20 for her initial stakes triumph. Northern Belle, a 16-1 shot, could not match strides late and completed a $2 exacta worth $794.40 while returning $18 and $11.40. Another longshot, 37-1 Bandora ($14), rounded out a $2 trifecta that paid $10,882.60.
Nine 3-year-old fillies took part in the 6 1/2-furlong Jostle. Saarlight, the 11-10 choice with Richard Migliore aboard, took a head's advantage over Trusty Temper through a torrid opening quarter-mile of :21.49 and inched away by a half-length while posting a half-mile in :43.82. Those fractions took their toll on Saarlight, who faltered at the top of the stretch.
Trusty Temper, who stalked well off the rail, took over, but she came under a strong challenge from Northern Belle, ridden by Kendrick Carmouche. Trusty Temper responded to the threat, however and drew away leaving the eighth pole to win convincingly in a solid time of 1:15.81.
Northern Belle finished 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Bandora, ridden by Josiah Hampshire Jr. Saarlight faded to eighth.
Trusty Temper, a daughter of Successful Appeal --Mumbo Jumbo (by Kingmambo), made it back-to-back victories for her connections after posting a four-length allowance win at Churchill Downs in her most recent start May 9. The dark bay filly earned $120,000 for her third victory in seven starts and boosted her career bankroll to $187,250.
Bee Zee bred the winner in Kentucky. Trusty Temper brought $100,000 at the Keeneland September 2007 Yearling Sale.