Janeian returned from a five-month layoff to win Saturday's $75,000 Irving Distaff at Lone Star Park by four lengths over Cat's Cat in stakes-record time. Bedanken, the odds-on 2-5 favorite, finished another half-length back in third.Janeian, ridden by Eddie Martin Jr., ran 7 ½ furlongs on firm turf in 1:28.24, 11-hundredths of a second quicker than Arctica in the 1998 renewal. She stalked pacesetter Southern Surprise before assuming the lead with a quarter-mile to run. Runner-up Cat's Cat was no match for the winner, but gamely held off the favorite for second.Janeian paid $8.40 to win as the 3-1 second betting choice and earned $45,000 for her owner Greg England of Dallas. The 6-year-old mare collected her eighth lifetime victory and second stakes win. Last fall, she won the $120,000 Indian Maid Breeders' Cup Handicap at Hawthorne Race Course. Overall, Janeian has earned $235,294 in 30 starts. "This is a really, really nice filly," said winning trainer Bret Calhoun. "We've been targeting this race for quite some time. She was supposed to be fresh and a little rank, but she probably relaxed better today than in any of her prior races. If she'll continue to do this, she may be a top filly."Bedanken, who jostled with Full Time Dancer at the start, saved ground in fifth along the rail in the early stages of the race. When jockey Don Pettinger asked his eight-time stakes winner for run, Bedanken failed to respond with her usual closing kick.Both Janeian and Bedanken are likely to meet again on Memorial Day in the $200,000 WinStar Distaff (gr. IIIT) at one mile on turf, one of seven stakes races which comprise Lone Star Park's Lone Star Million.
Defending Irving Distaff champ Cherylville Slew, Full Time Dancer, Southern Surprise, Joyce Ann and Lucky Tunnel completed the order of finish.Martin won three races for the third straight day and topped Lone Star Park's jockey standings through the first three days of the 63-date Spring Thoroughbred Season. The 40-year-old New Orleans native had won all five of Lone Star Park's turf races since opening night. (Chart, Equibase)
