Good News Lady Captures $300,475 Jugette in Race-off


by Jay Wolf

 

Good News Lady overcame a break in the second heat but out sprinted Sprig Hanover in a race-off to capture the 38th Jugette before 12,970 sun baked fans at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.
 

As starter Greg Coon sent the pair off in the race-off, John Campbell defended the rail with Sprig Hanover and led the eventual winner through the quarters of :31 4/5; 1:05 4/5 and 1:38 2/5. Greg Grismore came off the pylons with Good News Lady and outsprinted Sprig Hanover with a last quarter in :26 4/5 to score by a neck in 2:05 1/5.

 

Good News Lady is owned by Brittany Farms, Val D’or Farms and Christina Takter. The sophomore daughter of Western Ideal increased her lifetime earnings to $695,322.

 

The victory gave trainer Jimmy Takter and Grismore their first Jugette victory.

 

“She made a bobble in the second heat. Then lost it,” noted Grismore, a native Ohioan. “We had another shot and we had the best advantage following (John) Campbell. It is a honor winning this race in Ohio.”

 

As the wings folded for the first heat, Good News Lady and Dreamlands Latte (David Miller) battled for early lead, with Good News Lady clearing and set the fractions of :26 2/5, :55 2/5 and 1:24.  Good News Lady held off a late closing Dreamlands Latte by a half length in 1:53 1/5. Thong (Tim Tetrick) was eight lengths back in third.
 

In the second heat, all suspense was lost when Good News Lady broke stride and was immediately out of contention.  Dreamlands Latte benefited from the favorite’s break and took control of the field. Miss Scarlett (Brian Sears) tried to take the lead away, but was unable to clear and was hung on the outside. Sprig Hanover sat in the pocket behind the pacesetting Dreamlands Latte through the quarters in :26 4/5, :55 1/5 and 1:24 4/5.

 

As the field turned for home, Campbell tipped Sprig Hanover off the pylons with Thong (Tim Tetrick) on her heels. Sprig Hanover stuck her neck in front and survived the four horse photo to force the race-off. Dreamlands Latte held on for second. Cartniverous (Eric Goodell) and Thong were third and fourth.

 

The race-off was the first in the Jugette since 1997, when Stienam’s Place won the 27th filly classic.

 

The stakes packed Thursday card, including the 63rd edition of the Little Brown Jug is slated to go postward at 11 a.m.