NEWS
Just Jenda caps career with Molly Pitcher win
Posted: Sunday, August 29, 2010 8:03 PM
JUST JENDA
Bill Denver/Equi-Photo
To view the Molly Pitcher Stakes, click here.
by Myra Lewyn
Co-owner and trainer Cindy Jones could not have scripted a better swan song for Just Jenda.
The four-year-old Menifee filly brought down the curtain on her three-season career on Sunday at Monmouth Park with a clear victory over Grade 1 winner and 3-to-5 favorite Malibu Prayer in the $294,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes (G2).
Just Jenda showed no ill effects from a pulled shoulder muscle she sustained when finishing third to that opponent in the Lighthouse Stakes on June 26 at the Oceanport, New Jersey, track. She rallied from off the pace on Sunday and collared Malibu Prayer in midstretch before easily dispatching her and pulling away under Terry Thompson to win by 3 1/2 lengths.
Just Jenda covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.52 on track rated as fast as the 3-to-1 second wagering choice in the five-horse field.
The win marked the seventh stakes win overall and fourth stakes victory at Monmouth for Just Jenda, who won the 2009 Serena’s Song Stakes and Monmouth Oaks (G3) there as well this season’s Monmouth Beach Stakes in her start prior to the Lighthouse.
“What a way to go out,” Jones said of Just Jenda, who capped her career with her most lucrative win in the Molly Pitcher. “When she works fast, she runs fast. She went :58 and four at Delaware [Park] the other day. She was on top of her game and the race just worked out perfectly. She didn’t have to chase the speed today, but could sit back and relax. This was a real tough field, and we couldn’t be more proud of her.”
The Molly Pitcher was the eighth win from 17 career starts for Just Jenda. She retires with a lifetime bankroll of $750,680 for Jones, who co-owns the filly with her husband, Larry, who retired from training in November 2009. Just Jenda will be bred next season to Proud Citizen, who stands at Airdrie Stud in Midway, Kentucky.
Malibu Prayer, winner of the Ruffian Invitational Handicap (G1) on August 1, tracked pacesetter Stage Trick from second as Just Jenda relaxed in fourth along the inside. Malibu Prayer took control on the far turn before Just Jenda moved off rail and launched her winning bid from the outside.
Milwaukee Appeal, a Canadian classic winner last year, finished third, another two lengths back, after racing in last through the opening half-mile.
Bred in Kentucky by Lavin Bloodstock Services, Just Jenda is out of stakes-placed winner Liberty School, by Pine Bluff, from the family of 1986 Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner Bachelor Beau. She is one of two stakes winners this season and 27 overall for Grade 1 winner Menifee, who stands in Korea.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: Cat, Virginia Beach, VA on September 01, 2010 at 11:14 PM
I don't know it looks to me like they just leisurely handed this race to Just Jenda. Is racing turning into the WWE. So many of the races this year seem so fake.
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Posted by: Joanne, Uxbridge, MA on August 30, 2010 at 08:19 PM
I love this horse. She is one of my favorites. She is all heart. I wish her the very best, for a long and happy retirement. I thank the Jones'for taking such good care of her!
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Posted by: Kara, Lincoln, CA on August 30, 2010 at 04:24 PM
What a wonderful way to go out for a great horse who's given her connections a great career. Thank you to Cindy and Larry for her great three year campaign, for doing right by her and keeping her happy, healthy and sound through three seasons. Great to see such wonderful folks (Cindy and Larry) get such a wonderful "retirement" gift from this lovely mare. Way to go Jenda...happy retirement and congrats to the Jones's!
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Posted by: Maria, M. Falls, NC on August 30, 2010 at 12:55 PM
Great picture and story. Congratulations to Larry and Cindy! Jenda's a beautiful girl and made all of her fans some wonderful memories. Happy retirement, baby!
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