She’s a Julie has upset race favorite Point of Honor in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps at Belmont Park on Saturday.
At 14-1, the five-year-old She’s a Julie rallied to record a triumphant win deep in the stretch to take home the $300,000 G1 title at Belmont Park.
The talented Ricardo Santana Jr. made a last-ditch effort in the 200 yards, squeezing through Point of Honor and Ollie’s Candy to pip the pair at the post in a riveting finish that went upstairs to the judge’s final call in a photo.
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For most of the race, it looked to be all in favour of Point of Honor and Hall of Fame rider Javier Castellano, but Santana said his mount was “feeling good” when he steered She’s a Julie to one last effort.
“We got a great break,” he said.
“I sat in the spot I wanted to. She gave me a nice kick in the end. She ran her race today.”
Castellano acknowledged it was a “tough” being on the wrong side of the photo, but was proud of the effort from Point of Honor, who was exiting a third behind Ce Ce and Ollie’s Candy in the April 18 Apple Blossom (G1) at Oaklawn Park.
#3 She’s a Julie wins a thrilling edition of the Ogden Phipps (G1) with @RSantana_Jr up for Steve Asmussen pic.twitter.com/ZVz1EGsqWN
— TwinSpires (@TwinSpires) June 13, 2020
“It was a tough beat. I’m not disappointed at all,” Castellano said.
“She ran her race. I expected a hot pace and she did everything she could. It was a ‘bob’ and these are all competitive horses.
“I let the speed go and sat behind the horses,” Castellano continued.
“I popped her out and I thought I was going to go by. At the quarter pole, I was a little concerned. I was asking her and she didn’t take off and I thought I was going to be third, but she kept running and ran a good race.
“You can’t ask for anything more than that.”
It’s a thrilling win for trainer Steve Asmussen who has now won back-to-back Ogden Phipps with She’s a Julie and last year’s winner, Midnight Bisou.
As a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win & You’re In” race, She’s a Julie will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the November 7 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland.
