Debonair Joe upset the Underwood under Julie Krone.
Jockey Julie Krone and 53-1 shot Debonair Joe burst through the stretch five-wide to post a stunning neck victory over F J's Pace in the $100,000 Vernon O. Underwood Stakes (gr. III) at Hollywood Park Saturday.Krone said she was riding for a check when the Debonair Joe, the longest price in the field of nine, willingly moved into contention in the stretch."I threw a cross at him, and then I thought, 'Oh my goodness, I'd better find some place to run. He's going to win,'" Krone told TVG.Debonair Joe, a 3-year-old gelding by Ole', was claimed four starts ago from Craig Lewis for $12,5000 by trainer Juan Pablo Silva for owner Lynne H. Ristad. He won for the third time since that claim. The winner was well off the solid pace set by F J's Pace through a quarter-mile of :22.06, :44.60 for the half and :56.68 for five furlongs. In the stretch, old-timer Men's Exclusive, the 9-year-old gelding seeking his third straight victory in the Underwood, increased the pressure on F J's Pace, getting to within a neck of that one. F J's Pace responded to the challenge, but could not hold off the late run of Debonair Joe, who came flying under left-handed urging from Krone. F J's Pace held onto second with American System nosing out Men's Exclusive for the show. The final time was 1:09.17."Juan (Silva) was very confident in the horse," Krone said. "He said 'I know he's a longshot but he's doing so good.' He was absolutely speechless."A shocked Silva, who picked up his second win of the Hollywood Park meeting, said, "This is the biggest dream I've ever had. (Krone) did exactly what I told her to do and we got lucky."Mellow Fellow, the 2-1 favorite, was forced to take up badly at the start, and was never a factor.Debonair Joe won his fifth race in 17 career starts. The $60,000 purse increased his earnings to more than $194,000.The winner paid $107.60, $28.20 and $9.60. F J's Pace returned $5.40 and $3.40. American System paid $3.20 to show. Debonair Joe keyed a $2 exacta of $710.20 and a trifecta of $2,935.40.(Chart, Equibase)
