Aegean leads home Ward exacta in Kentucky Juvenile

Aegean cruises to the wire (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) Trainer Wesley Ward was in a commanding position from flag-fall to finish in Thursday’s $113,900 Kentucky Juvenile S. (G3) at Churchill Downs, courtesy of a pair of fillies. The 2-1 favorite Jealous Again (Trippi) was in control for much of the five-furlong dash, only to be swamped late by her 9-1 stablemate AEGEAN (Northern Afleet). Owned by Steven Michael Bell and ridden by Rene Douglas, the bay stopped the teletimer in :58 1/5 on the good track to advance her record to a perfect two-for-two. Although Aegean had led every step of the way in her 3 1/2-length maiden romp at Keeneland on April 4, she played the stalking role while hugging the rail in her stakes debut. The speedy Jealous Again, who was coming off an 11 1/4-length romp at Keeneland, sprinted right to the lead and blazed through an opening quarter in :21 3/5.

After shrugging off the pace-pressing Western Smoke (Smoke Glacken) turning
for home, Jealous Again opened up in the stretch and enjoyed a daylight margin
while reeling off a half-mile in :45. By this time, the chasing Aegean had
angled off the fence and set sail for the leader. Striking top gear inside the
final sixteenth, Aegean rolled past the longtime leader to spring a 1 1/4-length
upset. The lesser fancied of the Ward pair returned $20.80, $8.20 and $5 while
keying the $60.20 exacta, $263.80 trifecta and $1,737.20 superfecta (1-2-7-4).

Jealous Again held second by 1 1/2 lengths, paying $4.20 and $3.20. Mission
Impazible (Unbridled’s Song) was slowly away after bobbling and being bumped at
the start, but the 2-1 second choice regrouped and rallied strongly for third.
Show was worth $2.80. Another 4 1/2 lengths back came Western Smoke, followed by
Gator Prowl (Roar of the Tiger), Kinsolving (Posse), Heavenville (Offlee Wild),
Kitty in the Bag (Wildcat Heir) and Seattle Court (Consolidator).

Bred by Vegso Racing Stable in Florida, Aegean was a $70,000 yearling
purchase at OBS August. She is the first foal from the Aptitude mare Apt to
Star, who has a yearling filly named Star Reward (Good Reward). Aegean’s second
dam is stakes victress Sweeping (End Sweep), and she comes from the family of
Grade 3 winners Sky Terrace (Skywalker), I Rejoice (Lord Gaylord), Millencolin (Dehere)
and I’m a Thriller (Tri Jet).