2019 Jessamine Stakes Preview, Entries & Odds
Ten years ago, Eye of Taurus raced to victory in the second division of the Pin Oak Valley View (G3) for owner Harvey Clarke and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.
On Wednesday at Keeneland Racecourse, her daughter Eye of a Soldier (20-1) will go postward in the 29th running of the $200,000 JPMorgan Chase Jessamine Stakes (G2), a Breeders' Cup Challenge race that awards the winner a fees-paid berth into the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) to be run Nov. 1 at Santa Anita.
2019 Jessamine Stakes Odds & Entries
Race 7 at Keeneland on Wednesday, October 09 - Post 4:24 PM
| Entry | Horse | ML Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morning Gold | 10-1 | Brian Hernandez, Jr. 118 Lbs |
Kenneth McPeek |
| 2 | Envied | 20-1 | Miguel Mena 118 Lbs |
Ben Colebrook |
| 3 | Fujairah | 15-1 | Julien Leparoux 118 Lbs |
Carlos David |
| 4 | Indochine | 5-1 | John Velazquez 118 Lbs |
Chad Brown |
| 5 | Jezebel's Kitten | 4-1 | Florent Geroux 120 Lbs |
Brad Cox |
| 6 | Sweet Melania | 9-2 | Jose Ortiz 118 Lbs |
Todd Pletcher |
| 7 | Takeitback | 20-1 | Jon Court 118 Lbs |
Laura Wohlers |
| 8 | Witez | 15-1 | Calvin Borel 118 Lbs |
Ian Wilkes |
| 9 | Diamond Sparkles | 6-1 | Tyler Gaffalione 118 Lbs |
Mark Casse |
| 10 | Soothsaying | 12-1 | James Graham 118 Lbs |
William Mott |
| 11 | Swanage | 8-1 | Javier Castellano 118 Lbs |
Michael Maker |
| 12 | High On Gin | 15-1 | Victor Espinoza 118 Lbs |
Chasey Deville |
| 13 | Eye of a Soldier | 20-1 | Christopher DeCarlo 118 Lbs |
Timothy Hills |
| 14 | Ask Bailey | 12-1 | Corey Lanerie 118 Lbs |
Michael Maker |
| 15 | Lemon Scat | 15-1 | Channing Hill 118 Lbs |
Dale Romans |
| 16 | Hollee Peach | 30-1 | Rayan Gazader 118 Lbs |
Donald Campbell |
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Owned by the Estate of Harvey Clarke and Paul Braverman, Eye of a Soldier arrived at Keeneland Monday morning from Monmouth Park, where she has posted a 2-1-1-0 record under the care of trainer Timothy Hills.
"Mr. Clarke died earlier this year, and his wife, Donna, and son, Scott, have continued the stable and kept me on as part of the team," Hills said. Braverman bought into the filly after her second start.
A daughter of Soldat, who campaigned for a partnership that included Clarke and Braverman, Eye of a Soldier comes into Wednesday's race off a 15ΒΌ-length off-the-turf romp at Monmouth on Sept. 7.
"Her rider, Chris DeCarlo, thinks she is stakes material," Hills said. "She was ready to run the first time she raced and she ran very well against the boys going two turns on the grass. The way she won in her second start, I was not surprised at all. She was just galloping off the leaders. It was visually impressive."
Eye of a Soldier has had three works on the dirt at Monmouth since that victory, the most recent being a 1:00 move over 5 furlongs on Oct. 2.
"She trains really strong, and her pedigree suggests she'd be good (on turf)," said Hills, who has started 25 horses here dating back to 1976 with five victories that includes a score in the 2003 Woodford with Joe's Son Joey.
DeCarlo will have the mount Wednesday and break from post position 13 in the 1 1/16-mile test that serves as the year's final "Win and You're In" race for the Breeders' Cup.
"Wednesday's race is a little close to the Breeders' Cup, but if she is impressive, it would be a consideration," Hills said.
Clarke bred champion I'll Have Another, winner of the 2012 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1).
