Intercontinental Takes Off in Jenny Wiley

Juddmonte Farms' Intercontinental, a multiple group one-placed competitor in Europe, won her second straight in the United States Sunday, rolling past the leaders in the final furlong to win the $110,600 Jenny Wiley (gr. IIIT) at Keeneland.

Ridden by Jerry Bailey for trainer Bobby Frankel, Intercontinental, a 4-year-old bay filly by Danehill, defeated Ocean Drive by a length in a time of 1:41 2/5 for the 1 1/16-mile turf event on firm going. Madeira Mist edged Vanguardia by a neck for third, 1 1/2 length behind the runner-up.

Shuffled back early, the 4-5 favorite was content to track a moderate pace from near the rear of the eight-horse field. Intercontinental moved into position on the outside turning for home and blew past pacesetter Virgin Voyage and Vanguardia and hooked up with Ocean Drive in deep stretch. Madeira Mist rallied late, but was no threat to the winner.

"She's a European cover-up, late runner so I had to adjust her style to the course," Bailey said. "She showed she's very versatile today. She had to make more of a long sustained run but she came the last sixteenth in six seconds."

Intercontintental made her U.S. debut March 28 at Santa Anita, winning a one-mile classified allowance by 1 1/2 lengths. In Europe, she was third in both the 1000 Guineas (Eng-I) at Newmarket last May and Longchamp's Grand Criterium (Fr-I) in 2002.

She registered her sixth career victory in 11 starts and pushed her career earnings to $296,263. 

Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms and Frankel teamed for their second Jenny Wiley win in three years.  They sent out Tates Creek to capture the 2002 running.

Intercontinental is and English homebred from the Kahyasi mare Hasili.

She paid $3.60, $2.80 and $2.60. Ocean Drive, who was ridden by John Velazquez, returned $3.40 and $2.60. Madeira Mist, ridden by Havier Castellano, showed for $4.60. The $2 exacta was worth $15.80.

"When we were coming down the lane, she just gave me every ounce she had," Velazquez said of the runner-up. "She didn't want to give up an inch."

Film Maker, the winner of last year's Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (gr IT), finished sixth after racing within striking distance under Edgar Prado.

In a supporting feature, 2003 Canadian Triple Crown winner Wando successfully returned to competition after a six-month layoff with a three-quarter length triumph in a 1 1/16-mile turf race.

With Prado substituting for regular jockey Patrick Husbands, who was delayed in travel, Gustav Schickendanz's 4-year-old ran the distance in 1:41 4/5 and paid $7.40.

Wando had not raced since finishing third in the Indiana Derby in early October.

The attendance, 21,766, was a record for a Sunday at Keeneland.

(Chart, Equibase)