Ebony Breeze Nips Storm Minstrel in My Juliet

(from Philadelphia Park report)
Kinsman Stable's Ebony Breeze made her patented late run, closing from last in a short five-horse field to defeat a game Storm Minstrel and win the $100,000 My Juliet Stakes by a neck Saturday afternoon at Philadelphia Park.

It was the second straight win in the My Juliet for the 5 year-old daughter of Belong to Me, pushing her career earnings to just under $800,000. Bill Mott trains Ebony Breeze.

Long shot Hostility came charging out of the gate to make the pace through the opening furlong of the six-furlong test, but then saw pressure approaching the half mile pole from Umpateedle. While those two continued head-to-head to the top of the stretch, Storm Minstrel was getting a great trip. The Mark Hennig trainee raced inside about two lengths behind until swinging out for clear running nearing the quarter pole. Meanwhile, Ebony Breeze was watching and waiting for jockey Herberto Castillo Jr. With three furlongs to go, she'd dropped almost five lengths back.

Turning for home, the two front runners had had enough and surrendered the lead to Storm Minstrel, but Ebony Breeze was quickly bearing down on her in the middle of the track. The two hooked up just outside the eighth pole with Ebony Breeze in full stride and with good momentum poking a head in front. They sprinted to the line together with Ebony Breeze prevailing while all out.

Off as an even money favorite, she paid $4.00 to win. The final time for the six furlongs was 1:10.2.

Umpateedle finished third.

(Chart, Equibase)