EMMA'S ENCORE WINS THE PRIORESS STAKES!

Emma's Encore turned in a tremendous rally in the final furlong of the $300,000 Prioress Stakes (gr. I) to win the prestigious six-furlong race by a nose, giving trainer Allen Jerkens his first grade I victory in several years.

Ridden to victory by Junior Alvarado, Emma's Encore sat well off of the early pace set by Agave Kiss, who rattled off fractions of :22.15 and :44.64 while being tracked by Judy the Beauty and Tu Endie Wei. Jazzy Idea and Livi Makenzie were also fairly close, while Emma's Encore was the early trailer by a large margin.

Turning for home, Agave Kiss kicked away from her rivals and opened up a clear lead, but after running five furlongs in :56.63, she began to tire, allowing Judy the Beauty to wear her down and strike the front. She appeared to be on her way to victory, but Emma's Encore was rallying even faster on the far outside. The two hit the wire together, but the photo finish revealed Emma's Encore the winner by a narrow margin.

The final time was 1:09.35. Agave Kiss finished third, while Jazzy Idea rounded out the superfecta. The winner is trained by Allen Jerkens, who is famous for having upset the great Secretariat with two different horses, Onion and Prove Out, during the summer of 1973. Jerkens is a member of horse racing's Hall of Fame, and has trained the winners of over $100 million dollars.

-Keelerman

Prioress Stakes Entries and Post Positions

Here are the entries and post positions for the $300,000 Prioress Stakes (gr. I), to be run on Saturday at Saratoga. The six-furlong sprint for three-year-old fillies has drawn a strong field of seven, including the 1-2-3-5 finishers from last month's Victory Ride Stakes (gr. III): Emma's Encore, Jamaican Smoke, Tu Endie Wei, and Agave Kiss.

1 Emma's Encore
2 Livi Makenzie
3 Jamaican Smoke
4 Tu Endie Wei
5 Judy the Beauty
6 Agave Kiss
7 Jazzy Idea

-Keelerman

EMMA'S ENCORE WINS THE VICTORY RIDE STAKES!!!

Emma's Encore pulled off a shocking upset this afternoon in the $150,000 Victory Ride Stakes (gr. III), rallying past Jamaican Smoke and Tu Endie Wei in deep stretch to win the six-furlong race by about 2 1/2 lengths.

Ridden to victory by Junior Alvarado for trainer Allen Jerkens, Emma's Encore settled into the fifth position early on, well behind the early pace set by heavily favored Agave Kiss and Jamaican Smoke, who blazed the opening quarter in :21.46 seconds while separated by just a head. Tu Endie Wei and Gypsy Robin were racing together a couple of lengths behind the leaders, followed by Emma's Encore and a slow-starting Sea Island.

Agave Kiss and Jamaican Smoke continued their duel for the lead through a half-mile in :44 seconds flat, after which Agave Kiss gave way en route to a fifth-place finish. This left Jamaican Smoke with the lead, but she was soon challenged by Tu Endie Wei, who was rallying strongly on the far outside. But the quick pace eventually took its toll on both of them, and Emma's Encore was able to rally fast on the far outside to secure a decisive victory, stopping the clock in the quick time of 1:08.89.

Jamaican Smoke held off Tu Endie Wei for second, while Sea Island, Agave Kiss, and Gypsy Robin completed the order of finish. For Agave Kiss, it was her first defeat in seven starts.

-Keelerman

Victory Ride Stakes Entries and Post Positions

Here are the entries and post positions for the $150,000 Victory Ride Stakes (gr. III), to be run on Saturday at Belmont Park. The six-furlong sprint for three-year-old fillies has drawn an excellent field of six, led by the undefeated graded stakes winner Agave Kiss, three-time stakes winner Gypsy Robin, and the Canadian star Tu Endie Wei.

1 Agave Kiss
2 Emma's Encore
3 Jamaican Smoke
4 Tu Endie Wei
5 Gypsy Robin
6 Sea Island

-Keelerman