SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.— Clarkland Farm’s Kentucky homebred Just Cindy will look to keep her perfect record intact in Sunday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Spinaway, a seven-furlong sprint for juvenile fillies at Saratoga.
Trained by Eddie Kenneally, Just Cindy graduated on debut in June sprinting 5 1/2-furlongs at Churchill Downs ahead of a 2 1/4-length score last out in the six-furlong Grade 3 Schuylerville on July 14 at the Spa.
From the first crop of Triple Crown winner Justify and out of the stakes-winning Proud Citizen mare Jenda’s Agenda, Just Cindy demonstrated class in her stakes debut by tracking the early speed from the inside post under Irad Ortiz, Jr. before angling out for the stretch run to reel in Summer Promise and secure the win.
“For a young horse that had only one prior race under her belt it was a big effort,” Kenneally said. “She was able to break sharp but relax in behind the leaders in the pocket and have enough ability when a seam opened up that she was able to get out and find running room. It was a professional run for an inexperienced filly.”
Just Cindy has breezed back five times at Kenneally’s home base at Keeneland, including a half-mile in 48.40 on August 27.
“She could not be doing better,” Kenneally said. “She’s had a good gap between races and seems fresh and ready to go. She’s been breezing well. We’re really happy with her. She’s had a race over the track and no issues.”
The regally-bred Just Cindy’s third dam is multiple graded stakes winner Just Jenda, who captured the 2010 Grade 2 Molly Pitcher going two turns at Monmouth Park. Kenneally said he expects Just Cindy will also improve with added ground with an eye towards the 1 1/16-mile Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in November at Keeneland.
“You never know until you try but we would assume from everything she’s shown us that seven furlongs would be better than six,” Kenneally said. “After this race, going to a mile and a sixteenth, we’re hoping that would move her up further.”
Kenneally has enjoyed past success with young horses at Saratoga, taking the Grade 3 Sanford with Bitumen [2016] and By Your Side [2019] as well as a runner-up effort in the 2019 Grade 2 Saratoga Special with Scabbard.
“We were fortunate to win the Sanford twice and we had a horse named Scabbard run very well up there as well in the Saratoga Special,” Kenneally said. “At this time of year, that’s where the good races are. It’s where the prestigious races are for 2-year-olds.”
Kenneally said he’s had high hopes for Just Cindy from Day One.
“She acted like a good horse from the first week she was in the barn,” Kenneally said. “She’s very professional and takes everything in stride. She’s a class filly and showed that all the way through. It was fairly clear that she was a quality filly when we first got to know her.”
Kenneally said a big effort Sunday will almost certainly signal a Breeders’ Cup try for Just Cindy, who will exit post 5 under pick-up rider Luis Saez.
“Luis rides a lot for us and we’re very happy to have him on board,” Kenneally said. “I would play it by ear but if she could get a Grade 1 under her belt on Sunday, we would be very comfortable to wait then for the Breeders’ Cup.”
NYRA Press Office
Photo: Just Cindy wins the Grade 3 Schuylerville (Susie Raisher)
