Though Rachel Alexandra was not in the $600,000 Alabama (gr. I) (VIDEO), Donver Stable’s Careless Jewel did her best impression of the superstar filly, running away from seven rivals to win by 11 lengths in a breakthrough performance Aug. 22 at Saratoga.
A 3-year-old daughter of Tapit , Canadian-based Careless Jewel entered the prestigious Alabama off three consecutive wins, the last two by 7 1/4 lengths, including the July 18 Delaware Oaks (gr. II). She was expected to have much more of a challenge in the 1 1/4-mile Alabama, but it did not turn out that way.
Trained by Josie Carroll, Careless Jewel acted up while loading in the starting gate, then had to be steadied by Robert Landry as she went wide on the first turn. Despite the antics, the gray/roan filly was stalking the early leader, Be Fair, who clicked off fractions of :23.33, :47.35 and 1:12.14. Soon after the six-furlong marker, Carless Jewel took the lead from Be Fair and began opening up a clear advantage on the far turn.
Careless Jewel hit the quarter-pole ahead by three lengths, opened up by seven with a furlong remaining, and continued her charge into the stretch. She drew off with every stride while Milwaukee Appeal and Casanova Move gave a fruitless chase. The final time for 10 furlongs on the ‘good’ main track was 2:03.24.
Milwaukee Appeal, also based at Woodbine, finished runner-up by 3 3/4 lengths under John Velazquez. Casanova Move was third with Jose Lezcano aboard.
“She’s a great filly and I give a lot of credit to Josie," said the Canadian-based Landry, who won his first race at Saratoga. "I appreciate the owners for giving me the opportunity to ride her in such a big race. I’ve had a lot of confidence in her and she had a couple pre-race antics but when they can overcome that and win the way she did; she’s a special filly.”
Careless Jewel, now with four wins in five tries, made the first three starts of her career on Polytrack, breaking her maiden at second asking and then romping in a two-turn allowance in June at Woodbine. She went wire-to-wire in the 1 1/16-mile Delaware Oaks in her first start on natural dirt.
Said Carroll: "(Landry) did a great job with her. He got her outside and got her settled. I think knowing the horse was a huge advantage today. He got her to settle beautifully.
"We had looked in this direction if we jumped up and ran well in Delaware. The one thing about this filly, she’s made the lead and she’s kicked on. I think it’s very special when a horse can make pace and kick on. That gave us a lot of confidence in her. It doesn’t get much better than this."
Carroll did not say where Careless Jewel would be pointed next. She said all options would be discussed with the owners, Donna and Vern Dubinsky.
Bred in Kentucky by Gainesway Thoroughbreds and Bill Andrade, Carless Jewel is out of the Hennessymare Sweet and Careless. She has now earned $582,846.
The winner paid $7.80, $4.60 and $3.60 as the second choice. The exacta (5-8) returned $30.20 and the trifecta (5-8-7) was $209.50.
Sweet and Flawless checked in fourth, followed by Don't Forget Gil, Be Fair, Wynning Ride, and Funny Moon.
