She's a Julie Noses Out Thrilling Victory in Ogden Phipps

Photo courtesy of Eclipse Sportswire

Courtesy of Curtis Kalleward of the Racing Dudes

ELMONT, NY - A furious rally between rivals in deep stretch put She's a Julie to the lead in the shadow of the wire before she crossed a nose clear to win Saturday's $300,000 Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park.

The Ogden Phipps is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event, with She's a Julie receiving an automatic berth in the Longines Distaff at Keeneland this November. Sent from post 3 as the 14/1 longest shot on the board under Ricardo Santana, Jr., She's a Julie sat in mid-pack along the rail early after her two inner-breaking foes were both slow into stride. Up ahead, Blamed narrowly led Ollie's Candy in the early running while posting opening fractions of :22.84, :45.98, and 1:09.86.

As She's a Julie rounded the far turn still in third, Santana, Jr., took a peek back at the 5/16 pole to see where the rest of the field sat, then gave his steed the green light. Tipping out at the top of the stretch as she came under a drive, She's a Julie received pressure from Point of Honor to her outside as they their sites on new leader Ollie's Candy, who momentarily looked like she might run away with it.

She's a Julie fought gamely as she and Point of Honor neared Ollie's Candy inside the 1/16 pole. Five jumps from the wire, She's a Julie stuck her nose ahead and held that advantage before crossing victorious.

The Steve Asmussen trainee completed the 1 1/16-mile fast dirt event in a final time of 1:40.27.

Though caught in the late stages, Ollie's Candy was just a neck behind Point of Honor, who was the 2/1 favorite by the slimmest of margins over Ollie's Candy (2.05/1). Blamed tired to fourth and Pink Sands was wrapped up after failing to factor into the running, completing the order of finish.

Golden Award lost contact with the field midway through the far turn and was eased in the lane before walking off under her own power.

She's a Julie's win was her first since taking the La Troienne Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2019, and improved her overall record to 19-7-2-4. The 5-year-old Elusive Quality mare has now earned $1,187,880 for co-owners Bradley Thoroughbreds, Tim and Anna Cambron, Denali Stud, Rigney Racing, and Madaket Stables.

She's a Julie returned $31.40 to win, $9.70 to place, and $3.90 to show. Point of Honor brought back $3.70 to place and $2.50 to show, while Ollie's Candy paid $2.70 to show.

For more coverage of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, head over to racingdudes.com.