Judy the Beauty won a daring stretch battle with Dene Court to capture Sunday’s $151,200 Shady Well Stakes at Woodbine.
Dene Court, with jockey Quincy Welch in the irons, broke sharply to take the lead with I Am in Front applying pressure along the rail. Jeffrey Sanchez took a hold of Judy the Beauty, sent to post as the 9-5 choice, in third position sitting just off of Dene Court’s right flank. Rose and Shine and Quality Lass followed closely behind the leaders as Dene Court hit the half in :45.74. Dene Court maintained her position into the stretch as Sanchez moved Judy the Beauty up to challenge on the outside. The duo would battle the length of the stretch with Judy the Beauty pulling away to win by half a length in the final few strides. Rose and Shine rallied late for show, a head in front of Quality Lass. Judy the Beauty travelled 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03.95.
Owned and trained by Wesley Ward, the Shady Well score marks the first added-money victory for the daughter of Ghostzapper who remains undefeated having won at Keeneland on April 15 and at Chantilly on May 2, each time with Sanchez in the saddle.
Sanchez was happy with the stalking trip he engineered behind Dene Court.
“She ran great from behind horses the first time that she started,” said Sanchez. “But in France, I sent her to the lead, and she won close. I think she runs better when she sees other horses. I had a lot of filly (today). When I hit her (left-handed), she finished strong.”
Ward, who won five races at opening day at Woodbine, earned his eighth local win from 30 starts.
Now 3-for-3, Judy the Beauty returned $5.90, $3.40, $2.70, combining with Dene Court ($3.40, $2.70) for a $15.60 (7-6) exactor. A 7-6-1 (Rose and Shine, $4.60 to show) triactor was worth $71.
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