by Jeff Apel

Jardin responded to a vigorous hand ride from jockey Robby Albarado and drove clear to cap a three-win day for trainer Steve Asmussen with a four-length victory in the $112,900 Schuylerville Stakes (G3) on Wednesday, opening day of a 36-day meet at Saratoga Race Course.

Breaking from the outside post in a field of nine two-year-old fillies, Jardin stalked the early pace from four wide and raced in third through a half-mile in :46.97, one length behind Collegiate. Gaining command on the turn, Jardin opened a one-length lead on runner-up Cameron Crazies in early stretch and won the six-furlong race in 1:12.79 on a sloppy track.

“She ran great,” Albarado said. “She didn’t break well, but she has enough speed to be forwardly placed.

“The outside post helped—she didn’t get mud kicked in her face. The best part of the race was that she handled the course, unlike some of the other fillies.”

Padua Stables’ Jardin entered off a three-length debut win in a five-furlong maiden special weight race on June 22 at Churchill Downs. Asmussen mentioned the $250,000 Spinway Stakes (G1) on August 31 at Saratoga as the next possible start for the Montbrook filly, who quickly eased any post-position concerns her trainer had in the Schuylerville.

“I was concerned with her being on the outside,” Asmussen said. “As the day went on, it looked like that’s where she needed to be. She was comfortable the whole way.”

Cameron Crazies edged third-place finisher Girlfrienontheside by a nose. Ocean Colors, the 1.30-to-1 favorite who also is trained by Asmussen, led by a half-length through an opening quarter in :22.44 but gave way approaching the stretch and finished last.

Asmussen said Ocean Colors faded after tying up. He earned his first win on Wednesday at Saratoga with Cognito in the second race and also emerged victorious with Jazz Nation in the sixth.

Jardin increased her earnings to $87,720. Bred in Florida by Ocala Stud Farm, the dark bay or brown filly is a full sister to Grade 3 winner Beacon Shine and is one of three winners from five starters out of the multiple stakes-placed winning Valid Appeal mare Unlimited Pleasure, a half sister to Grade 1 winner and sire Outofthebox.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Jeff Apel is a Thoroughbred Times assistant daily news editor