Good News Lady jumped it off behind the gate in the second Jugette heat, opening the door for Allamerican Native filly Sprig Hanover to prevail in a thrilling, four-horse blanket finish and force a race-off for the 2008 Jugette.
John Campbell gave Sprig Hanover a ground saving trip in the two hole. The pair got up on the outside in the lane to nail pacesetter Dreamlands Latte (driven by David Miller) and usurp fellow closers Cartniverous (Eric Goodell) and Thong (Tim Tetrick).
Dreamlands Latte had taken advantage of Good News Lady's break of stride, assuming the lead early and laying down fractions of :26.4, :55.1 and 1:24.4.
Fillies came three-horses high during the back half-mile, but Campbell bided his time in the pocket before sending Sprig Hanover out wide. When Campbell tipped his mount, the Linda Toscano pupil responded. Travelling four-wide through the lane, Sprig Hanover got up in the final stride, forcing a race-off with Good News Lady.
Sprig Hanover - Jugette Heat #2
Sprig Hanover will leave from Post 1 in the race-off and Good News Lady from Post 2.
"I think that the 10-hole [in the first heat] was a tough spot and then she got wiped out in the first turn. We were happy with the fifth-place [in the first elim]," said Toscano, would just got the horse in from trainer Gregg McNair.
Toscano mentioned that since Sprig Hanover is such a new recruit into her barn all she has been able to do is, "change the bridle after the first trip and start to play around a little bit."
Dreamlands Latte raced her
Dreamlands Latte raced her heart out in both heat races.