Justin Phillip relishes mud in Woody Stephens

by Vance Hanson

Having snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the April 23

Jerome S. (Grade 2), Zayat Stables' Justin Phillip did not

make the same mistake twice in Saturday's $250,000

Woody Stephens S. (Grade 2) at Belmont Park. Sent for the lead between

rivals at the start by Ramon Dominguez, Justin Phillip held a narrow

head advantage through an opening quarter in :22 1/5, but began to open

up around the far turn and was up two lengths after a half in :44 2/5.

The lead widened to five lengths with a furlong remaining and the dark

bay crossed the wire 3 1/4 lengths clear in a time of 1:23 2/5 for seven

muddy furlongs. The 4-1 fourth choice, Justin Phillip paid $10.80, $4.70

and $2.80.

The Woody Stephens was a reversal of form from the Jerome, which was

contested in the slop at Aqueduct. In that race, Justin Phillip made

what appeared to be a winning move in the stretch, opened up slightly on

his rivals, then inexplicably hung and weakened to third. No one was

able to catch Justin Phillip this time, as J J's Lucky Train, at 3-1,

rallied from the back of the five-horse field to nose out 7-5 favorite

Arch Traveler for second. Travelin Man finished

fourth and Derivative trailed far back. Bold Warrior

and Little Drama were scratched.

"He has run very well on an off track before and everything fell into place

today," winning trainer Steve Asmussen said. "We thought he was going to lay

third and Ramon said he felt great underneath him and he was just dragging him

along. We will speak to Mr. Zayat about where he will go next but it certainly

puts the King's Bishop (S. [Grade 1] on August 27) on your calendar."

Needing two starts to break his maiden and an additional three to pass his

first allowance condition, Justin Phillip's classic hopes fizzled after unplaced

efforts in the Lecomte S. (Grade 3) and Risen Star S. (Grade 2). Cutting back to one turn,

he finished third to J J's Lucky Train in the seven-furlong Bay Shore S. (Grade 3),

then weakened to third in the one-mile Jerome last out. His record now stands at

10-3-1-4, $261,528.

Bred in Kentucky by Oakbrook Farm, Justin Phillip was a $400,000 Keeneland

September yearling. Produced by the Grade 3-placed Ava Knowsthecode, he is a

half-brother to Grade 2 winner Keyed Entry, this year's Miami Mile H. (Grade 3) hero Successful Mission, and the stakes-winning Alex's Allure.