Shine Again Shines Again in Ballerina

For the second straight year, Bohemia Stable's Shine Again captured the $250,000 Ballerina Handicap (gr. I) for fillies and mares with a narrow half-length victory over favored Raging Fever at Saratoga Sunday.

Ridden by Jean-Luc Samyn, the 5-year-old Maryland-bred daughter of Wild Again raced closely to the pace on the outside early, angled in nearing the stretch and moved to the outside down the lane to outfinish Raging Fever and Mandy's Gold, who tired in the closing yards.

Final time for the seven furlongs on a good track was 1:22.26.

Trained by Allen Jerkens, Shine Again won for the 11th time in 24 career starts. The $150,000 winner's share pushed her career earnings to more than $850,000.

"It set up right for her, the track was right and that's when you win," said Jerkens. "The race was a little farther today and the pace was harder."

Samyn said, "In my opinion, the track seemed to be favoring speed when it was sealed. There didn't look like there was enough room for her to go inside. There was no one outside of us, so I went there. She got by two great horses."

Shine Again paid $8.80, $3.40 and $2.40. Raging Fever returned $2.70 and $2.10. Mandy's Gold paid $2.30.

(Chart, Equibase)