Justique drove from last and cruised to her first stakes victory in the $101,000 Desi Arnaz Stakes for 2-year-old fillies Saturday at Del Mar.
Entering off a lackluster third in the 1 1/16-mile Chandelier (G2) Oct. 8 at Santa Anita, the Justify filly shortened to seven furlongs Saturday and proved best in a 2 ¼-length triumph under Victor Espinoza while completing the trip in 1:23.41 on a fast track.
Trained by John Sherriffs for owners Lee and Susan Searing's C R K Stable, Justique was off a step slow and settled last of seven as Parody led through a half mile in :45.05. Sweeping four to five wide around the turn, Justique hit the front with a furlong to run and coasted clear under a hand ride. She returned $5 as the 3-2 favorite.
Blessed Touch finished second, 6 ½ lengths in front of third-place finisher Naughty Lottie.
Justique improved to two wins from three starts, with Saturday's triumph and a last-to-first debut win July 31 at Del Mar bookending the Chandelier. The $60,000 winner's share of the Desi Arnaz purse increased her lifetime earnings to $132,000
Bred in Kentucky by John D. Gunther and Eurowest Bloodstock from the Bernardini mare Grazie Mille, Justique was purchased by Mayberry Farm for $750,000 from Gunther's Glennwood Farm consignment at the 2021 Keeneland September yearling sale. Gunther also bred her sire, 2018 Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year Justify.
DESI ARNAZ STAKES QUOTES
VICTOR ESPINOZA (Justique, winner) – “I don't try to encourage her away from the gate; I just let her do her thing. I just want her to be happy in her races. The idea is to just get her in her rhythm; to let her do it her way. At the half mile (pole) she started to pick it up. When she wants to, she's quick; very quick. I moved up next to those horses on the turn and in two or three jumps she's in front. She's something. And if she goes longer? I think she'll be better.”
JOHN SHIRREFFS (Justique, winner) – “I didn't get a good look at the break, so you always wonder when she's got to close a lot of ground, will she be able to do it? I saw her starting to make up ground and I thought 'Victor's gonna time it' and then she kept going.”
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