Lawrence Golchman's homebred 3-year-old filly J'ray, winner of all four of her career starts on turf including three stakes for trainer Todd Pletcher, will likely be odds-on to extend her record in Sunday's $100,000 Herecomesthebride Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Gulfstream Park.
Jockey John Velazquez will be back aboard J'ray in her first start since capturing the Tropical Park Oaks at Calder New Year's Day. The New York-bred chestnut daughter of
Distant View had previously won the Jessamine County Stakes at Keeneland in October and the Selima Stakes at Laurel Park in November.
The imposing presence of J'ray may have contributed to the fact that only six other 3-year-old fillies were entered in the 1 1/8-mile turf course test, including a pair trained by Allen Jerkens. Mark Guidry gets the call on Joe Allen's Diamond Spirit, and Cornelio Velasquez rides Hobeau Farm's Miss Shop.
Diamond Spirit and Miss Shop finished third and fourth, respectively, in the Gaily Gaily Stakes, won by the Pletcher-trained Dyna's Destiny over the course Feb. 19.
$100,000 Herecomesthebride Stakes (gr. IIIT, Race 5, 2:44 p.m.), 3-Year-Old Fillies, 1 1/8 Miles (turf) PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Aunt Henny (KY), 118, Javier Castellano
2. Musical Charm (KY), 116, Edwin King, Jr.
3. Diamond Spirit (VA), 118, Mark Guidry
4. Lake Alice (FL), 120, Kristi Chapman
5. Walklikeanegyptian (IRE), 116, Mike Smith
6. J'ray (NY), 122, John Velazquez
7. Miss Shop (FL), 118, Cornelio Velasquez
