Judy the Beauty Captures Grade 1 Madison

Owner-trainer Wesley Ward’s ultra-consistent Judy the Beauty notched the first Grade 1 victory of her career by romping to a 2 ½-length victory over Better Lucky in the 13th running of the $300,000 Madison on Saturday afternoon at Keeneland.

In the Madison, Judy the Beauty assumed command from Eden Prairie at the top of the stretch and drew clear for her third graded stakes victory. The $180,000 winner’s check made Judy the Beauty a millionaire with earnings of $1,005,757 with a record of 15-7-7-1.

The victory was the second for jockey John Velazquez in the race to go with a score on Informed Decision in 2009.

A Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduate, Judy the Beauty covered the seven furlongs on the fast main track in 1:22.86 in improving her Keeneland record to four-for-four. Judy the Beauty is a 5-year-old, Canadian-bred daughter of Ghostzapper out of the Holy Bull mare Holy Blitz.

Judy the Beauty returned $3.20, $2.60 and $2.10. Better Lucky, ridden by Javier Castellano, returned $4.40 and $3.20 and finished 2¼ lengths in front of Apropos, who finished third under Shaun Bridgmohan and returned $4.40 to show.

Heir Kitty finished fourth and was followed by Eden Prairie, Cozze Up Lady, Byrama (GB) and Wildcat Lily.