Choisya makes winning U.S. debut in Grade 1 Jenny Wiley
Choisya used a ground-saving trip to get the jump on her rivals at the top of the stretch before holding off favored Excellent Truth by a half-length in her U.S. debut Saturday to win the 37th running of the Grade 1, $650,000 Jenny Wiley Stakes for fillies and mares at Keeneland.
Kehoe Beach set the pace with fractions of 22.98, 46.95 and 1:11.33 while being tracked by Be Your Best with Choisya third along the rail.
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As the field approached the top of the stretch, jockey Luis Sáez sent Choisya through on the inside of Kehoe Beach and took over without relinquishing the lead.
Just before the sixteenth pole, Choisya came out slightly, forcing rallying Excellent Truth to alter course. The incident prompted an objection from jockey Flavien Prat that was disallowed by the stewards.
“I was behind the winner, and we turned for home, and (Choisya) stayed on the fence, so then I decided to come around him,” Prat said. “I had a good gap, and as I came in between horses, the gap closed, and I had to check, and she came back again.”
“I knew when I got to the top of the stretch I came out a little bit, but I don’t think I bothered the other horse,” Sáez said. “I stayed in my lane. She ran a big race. and I’m so proud (Crisford) gave me the opportunity with this filly to win this Grade 1.”
Trained by Simon Crisford for his first Keeneland stakes victory, Choisya completed the 1 1/16 miles over a turf course rated good in 1:42.01.
A Rabbah Bloodstock homebred, Choisya is a 5-year-old daughter of Night of Thunder out of Singspiel mare Fragrancy. A winner of her first two starts of 2025 in Group 2 stakes in Dubai, Choisya improved her record to 20: 8-5-0 and increased her earnings to $709,462. Saturday’s victory was worth $298,375.
Choisya rewarded her backers with payoffs of $15.66, $7.74 and $5.48. Excellent Truth returned $5.10 and $3.64 and finished a half-length in front of Kehoe Beach, who paid $4.48 to show under Frankie Dettori.
It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to Sacred Wish with Poolside With Slim, Jabaara, No Show Sammy Jo and Be Your Best following in order. Vina Arana was scratched.