Money’soncharlotte stays clear of Martini Glass in Lady Jacqueline

Money’soncharlotte sat off the pace, made her move on the final turn and stayed clear of favorite Martini Glass to win Saturday’s $200,000 Lady Jacqueline Stakes at JACK Thistledown Racino by 1 1/4 lengths. Mo d’Amour moved up from mid-pack to claim third, three-quarters of a length farther back.

 

Making just her second start past six furlongs, Put Up With It led through six furlongs of the 1 1/8-mile race for fillies and mares as Money’soncharlotte gradually gained to her outside. Winning jockey Paco Lopez asked Money’soncharlotte for run entering the turn and from there the outcome was not in doubt. Martini Glass, the even-money favorite, closed well but wide and not fast enough to catch her.

 

After Put Up With It’s controlled pace of 23:02, 48:28 and 1:13.60, Money’soncharlotte stopped the clock at 1:51.48.

 

Said winning trainer Kelly Breen, “The word I heard about Thistledown was that it was a little bit of a sandy-based track. This filly, two-turning-three, won at Calder, and you can’t get much more of a sandier track, so I really felt confident coming out here, and she proved herself. She shipped in yesterday and showed up today. Paco rides a nice race.”

 

Fourth and following were Majestic Angel, Miss Mo Kelly, Divine Elegance, Moonshine Promise, Inconclusive, Put Up With It, Kyles Marigold and Funny Ghost. Nikki My Darling, cross-entered in the Pay the Man Stakes, scratched.

 

Money’soncharlotte was sent off the 5-2 second choice and paid $7, $3.60 and $2.80.

 

Bred in Kentucky by Dr. Oscar Benavides, Money’soncharlotte is by Mizzenmast out of Something Wicked, by Chimes Band. She is owned by George Hall. The 5-year-old filly improved her record to seven wins, two seconds and two thirds in 21 starts for purse earnings of $458,395.

 

 

Nikki My Darling led the field of the Pay the Man Stakes into the first turn and never looked back, easily drawing clear of runner-up Justalittlesmoke to win the 1 1/16-mile test for Ohio-bred fillies and mares by eight lengths. Star Mabee was another 4 1/2 lengths back in third.

 

Chased throughout by 3-5 favorite Justalittlesmoke, Nikki My Darling and jockey Luis Colon set fractions of 23.68, 47.40 and 1:12.08 before pulling away to finish in 1:43.82.

 

“She’s a nice filly,” said trainer Jeff Radosevich. “What makes her good is, she’s smart. And anytime they’re smart they can go further.”

 

Asked if he were intimidated by facing Ohio multi-champion Justalittlesmoke, Radosevich chuckled and said, “Oh, yeah, always. She didn’t make three-quarters of a million (dollars) by not running good. You’re always a little scared of horses that good.”

 

Coupled with stablemate Floral Sky and sent off second choice at 7-5, Nikki My Darling paid $4.80, $2.20 and $2.10.

 

Tune Up ran fourth, followed by School Board Prez, Cali Dream and Floral Sky. Mayas Queen Neetee scratched.

 

By Creative Cause out of the Zamindar mare Zamindarling, Nikki My Darling is owned by Ron Paolucci’s Loooch Racing Stables and Imaginary Stables. She was bred by Sheltowee Farm and James Evan. Her record stands now at six wins and one second in 11 starts for earnings of $226,533.