Generous Payoffs Loom in Jessamine Stakes; Picks, Odds

For those who bet horse racing, generous payoffs loom in the $350,000 Jessamine Stakes (G2) for 2-year-old turf fillies on Friday at Keeneland.

This edition of the Jessamine is a classic grass grab bag. Of the 16 entries, including four also-eligibles, only seven have tried two turns, four have run only once, and six won for the first time in their last race.

Juvenile fillies take the Keeneland spotlight on Friday in the Jessamine Stakes

With lightly raced 2-year-old fillies, there’s never much form to analyze, but if you get this 1 1/16-mile scramble right, the payoff should be generous.

The Jessamine, a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In,” awards the winner an automatic bid to the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) on Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

Early-pace figures say the speed will come from the inside, with Shezafunkydrummer (post 1) taking the early lead and Isle of Capri (post 2) close behind. Determining how the others will sort themselves out is guesswork, but that’s handicapping.

(Buchu, last year’s Jessamine winner, was 11^th after 6 furlongs, and in 2021 California Angel was 12^th early, but in 2022 Delight led all the way. Not much help there.)

Jessamine Stakes Preview: Key Runners and Betting Insights

Like most Chad Brown turfers, Virgin Colada is a terrific finisher, twice rocketing home the final sixteenth-of-a-mile in less than 29 seconds. Unfortunately, she’s on the also-eligible list and will need two scratches to get into the race. She’s the pick if she does.

Morning-line favorite Destino d’Oro (3-1), Ballerina d’Oro, May Day Ready and Totally Justified will get bet, and a win by any of them would be no shock. But consider 20-1 shot Italian Soiree, who sped her last quarter in 23 seconds when fourth in a Grade 1 at Woodbine. She may be sitting on a forward move in her fourth start, and her experience edge could make the difference.

Two other “Win and You’re In’’ races are on Friday’s opening day card – the Darley Alcibiades (G1) and the Phoenix Stakes (G2).

The Jessamine is race 8 with a post time of 4:44 p.m. ET.

The picks: 1 Virgin Colada 2 Italian Soiree 3 Destino d’Oro

The field for the $350,000 Jessamine Stakes (G2), from the rail out, with jockey, trainer, odds:

1 Shezafunkydrummer (Geraldo Corrales, Larry Rivelli), 8-1

2 Isle of Capri (Tyler Gaffalione, Brendan Walsh), 9-2

3 Sashay Away (Cristian Torres, Robert Medina), 20-1

4 Somethinabouther (Luan Machado, Brendan Walsh), 20-1

5 Mechaya (Francisco Arrieta, James DiVito), 15-1

6 Destino d’Oro (Flavien Prat, Brad Cox), 3-1

7 Ballerina d’Oro (Jose Ortiz, Chad Brown), 20-1

8 May Day Ready (Frankie Dettori, Joseph Lee), 8-1

9 Totally Justified (Manny Franco, Rusty Arnold),6-1

10 Italian Soiree (Luis Saez, John Terranova), 20-1

11 Miss Lonette (Corey Lanerie, Wayne Catalano), 15-1

12 Correto (Jorge Ruiz, H. Graham Motion), 8-1

Also-eligibles

13 Give Life (Jose Ortiz, Ignacio Correas), 20-1

14 She’s Got Will (Dylan Davis, Mark Casse), 8-1

15 Virgin Colada (Flavien Prat, Chad Brown), 9-1`

16 Daisy Flyer (Julien Leparoux, Rusty Arnold), 20-1

US Racing Team

The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.