Robert Harvey’s Calling Rhy Rhy, expertly handled by Alan Garcia, answered the call with a powerful front-running performance in Sunday’s $150,000 Jammed Lovely Stakes, at Woodbine.
Calling Rhy Rhy, trained by Roger Attfield, avenged her Duchess Stakes loss to Jammed Lovely rival Tiz Imaginary with a prominent effort in Sunday’s seven furlong sprint for Ontario-bred sophomore fillies. The City Zip bay outdueled Westlodge Intrigue through splits of :24.01 and :46.86, putting away her rival through the bend.
Tiz Imaginary and Conquest Fleetfeet loomed large late in the turn but a fluid Calling Rhy Rhy had plenty left in the tank and strode home a confident 2 1/4-length winner. Tiz Imaginary stayed on for place in front of Conquest Fleetfeet. Calling Rhy Rhy covered seven furlongs in 1:22.59.
Last time out, in the Duchess Stakes, Calling Rhy was shuffled back through the turn as Tiz Imaginary got the jump and took the spoils.
“It happens in horse racing. We thought she was probably the best filly on the day, but she didn’t win that day,” said Attfield of the Duchess effort. “We went in here thinking the same thing and this time it worked out.
“She’s a lovely filly and she’s trained out of her last race really well,” continued Attfield. “We expected a good effort from her today.”
Attfield leads all trainers with four wins in the Jammed Lovely, named for the 1967 Queen’s Plate champ, having previously taken the event in 1983 (Regents Rhythm), 1993 (Hey Hazel) and 2001 (Poetically). Alan Garcia, who won this event last year aboard Strong Incentive, was picking up his second Jammed Lovely score.
Calling Rhy Rhy, bred in Ontario by her owner, banked $94,500 in victory while improving her record to four wins and one third form eight starts.
She paid $4.10 to win. Tiz Imaginary completed a 3-1 exactor worth $6.90. There was no place or show wagering.
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