The homebred daughter of Street Sense ($8.20) drew off to a 7 ¼-length victory in Race 7, a seven-furlong sprint for 2-year-old fillies.

“She'd been training forwardly. She was a half-step slow from the gate the other morning – she tossed her head a little at the break. We stood her a few times and she was good, so we went ahead and ran her today, thinking she was ready to go,” Pletcher said. “Seven furlongs is a good starting point for her.”

Zaajel stalked the early pace set by Mail Order, a debuting son of Liam's Map for trainer Bill Mott, before making a move on the turn to take the lead at the top of the stretch and drawing away to a comfortable win under Luis Saez.

“We'll play it by ear. She's clearly a filly that wants more distance. That's always exciting when you have one break their maiden at a shorter distance,” Pletcher said.

Zaajel ran seven furlongs in 1:23.81 to prevail over Pletcher-trained Unbridled d'Oro, the 2-1 favorite who closed from 10^th to finish second under Irad Ortiz Jr.

Pletcher, who is seeking to capture his 17th Championship Meet title, has enjoyed early-season success with debut winners, including WinStar Farm LLC and CHC Inc.'s Prime Factor, a highly promising juvenile son of Quality Road who scored by 8 ¾ lengths Dec. 12, and Shadwell's Arham, a 3-year-old son of Union Rags who graduated by eight lengths on Wednesday. Pletcher also scored on Dec. 12 with Donegal Racing's Donegal Bay, a juvenile son of Uncle Mo who graduated by 4 ¼ lengths.

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7th-GP, $50K, Msw, 2yo, f, 7f, 3:08p.m.
Todd Pletcher sends out a pair of wel-bred first-time starters, led by Charles Fipke’s UNBRIDLED D’ORO (Medaglia d’Oro). The homebred is a the first foal out of GI Ballerina S. heroine Unbridled Forever (Unbridled’s Song), herself a daughter of GI Kentucky Oaks winner Lemons Forever (Lemon Drop Kid). Pletcher also saddles Shadwell homebred Zaajel (Street Sense). Dam Asiya (Daaher) is responsible for dual graded placed Ajaaweed (Curlin). Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott is represented by James Karp’s first-time starter Mail Order (Liam’s Map). The Ontario-bred is a $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale graduate, the co-third highest priced yearling of 78 offspring by the sire sold in 2019. TJCIS PPs

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