Good News Lady, winless in 12 starts this season but with 2008 earnings of $360,885, is the 5-2 morning line favourite for next Wednesday's $300,475 Jugette three-year-old filly pace at the Delaware County Fair in Delaware, Ohio.
Ten three-year-old fillies were entered for the 38th Jugette.
Good News Lady has finished second or third eight times racing against the finest fillies in her division. She was third in last week's $253,400 Nadia Lobell, second in the $250,000 Valley Forge and second in the $407,400 Mistletoe Shalee.
The daughter of Western Ideal has lifetime earnings of $597,017 for trainer Jimmy Takter. Greg Grismore will drive Good News Lady for owners Brittany Farms, Val D'or Farms and Christina Takter. Good News Lady will start from Post 3.
Thong (4-1) and Miss Scarlet (5-1) figure to provide Good News Lady with some stiff competition.
Thong is the richest filly in the Jugette with a lifetime bankroll of $640,057 but after a strong start this season she has finished ninth, eighth and sixth in her last three starts. Her biggest win this year came in the $325,230 Lizmore final. Tim Tetrick will drive Thong from Post 5 for Jerry Silva and the North State Street Stable. Kevin Lare is the trainer.
Miss Scarlett, owned by former University of Kentucky basketball All-American Charles (Cotton) Nash and Julie Nash, is fresh from a 1:50.4 victory in the Hayes Memorial at Du Quoin, Illinois. Trained by Bret Shultz, Miss Scarlet has winnings of $270,156. Cotton and Julie also owned 1995 Jugette winner Magic Shopper.
Jugette - First Heat - $96,152
Post - Filly - Driver - Odds
1 - Up Front Bethann - D.Palone - 20-1
2 - Dreamlands Latte - D.Miller - 20-1
3 - Good News Lady - G.Grismore - 5-2
4 - Cartniverous - E. Goodell - 8-1
5 - Thong - T. Tetrick - 4-1
6 - Im A Native Two - D.Miller - 6-1
7 - Ideal Morning - R.Pierce - 6-1
8 - Pavla Hanover - M.Wilder - 20-1
9 - Miss Scarlett - B.Sears - 5-1
10 - Sprig Hanover - J.Campbell - 12-1
The second heat of the Jugette will hold a $144,475 purse. Post positions are earned for the second heat. A total of $60,095 will be added to winner's purse if there is a straight-heat winner, or $60,095 to winner of third heat if needed.
(Little Brown Jug)