Tommy Jo headed to the Breeders’ Cup. (Courtney Snow/Past The Wire)
Punched ticket to $2 million NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1)
Keeneland Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. –Spendthrift Farm’s homebred Tommy Jo was elevated to first place following the disqualification of Percy’s Bar for interference in the stretch to take the 74th running of the $650,000 Darley Alcibiades (G1) for 2-year-old fillies Friday afternoon on opening day of Keeneland’s Fall Meet.
The victory earned Tommy Jo a fees-paid berth into the $2 million NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) to be run Oct. 31 at Del Mar.
Also earning spots in the Breeders’ Cup starting gate were Mark Dobbin’s Imaginationthelady, who took the 35th running of the $400,000 Jessamine (G2) Presented by Keeneland Sales for 2-year-old fillies, and Qatar Racing and Mrs. Fitri Hay’s Nakatomi, winner of the 173rd running of the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2) for 3-year-olds and up.
In the Darley Alcibiades, Percy’s Bar went right to the front under Luan Machado with Tommy Jo in closest pursuit through fractions of :23.13, :46.90 and 1:11.52.
Percy’s Bar maintained her advantage into the stretch with John Velazquez closing the gap on Tommy Jo. Leaving the furlong pole, Percy’s Bar swerved to her outside and bumped Tommy Jo, who had drawn on nearly even terms before finishing 2 3/4 lengths back.
There was a jockey’s objection and a stewards’ inquiry that was upheld, reversing the order of finish.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Tommy Jo represented the second Alcibiades winner for both trainer and jockey. Pletcher saddled Candied to victory in 2023 and Velazquez rode Stephanie’s Kitten to victory in 2011.
The time for the mile and a sixteenth on the fast main track was 1:44.69.
Tommy Jo is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Into Mischief out of the Pioneerof the Nile mare Mother Mother. Now 3-for-3, Tommy Jo has earned $617,963.
Tommy Jo returned $2.88, $2.18 and $2.10. Percy’s Bar returned $2.94 and $2.10 with The Grumpy Rabbit, another 2¾ lengths back in third, paying $2.62 to show under Flavien Prat. It was another three-quarters of a length back to Go to Girl with Wonzee Weather and Haute Diva following in order.
Racing continues on Fall Stars Saturday with an 11-race program beginning at 1 p.m. ET and featuring five graded stakes, three of them Grade 1s.
Quotes from the $650,000 Darley Alcibiades (G1) at Keeneland
John Velazquez (rider of Tommy Jo): “I felt like she was gaining on (Percy’s Bar) little by little, head and head (coming around the far turn), and I got after her. (Percy’s Bar) touched her the first time, but the second time she went completely off her lead. Then (Percy’s Bar) opened up a length-and-a-half (lead) and it’s hard for a horse to re-engage again. She was fighting at the point when it happened, and honestly, I hate to get it this way (by disqualification), but I’m glad
Ben Colebrook (trainer of runner-up Percy’s Bar, who was disqualified from the win and placed second): “I thought if the (winning) margin had been a head or a neck, I could see it. But I probably disagree with it (the disqualification), but I have to go back and watch (a replay of the race), cool our heads. It’s disappointing.”
Todd Pletcher (winning trainer of undefeated favorite Tommy Jo): “(Disqualification) is not the way you want to win. I thought the filly was running a good race, and there was obviously a lot of contact that impacted her ability to finish. Whether or not it was the difference in her getting to the finish line first or not, I don’t know. It was a significant bump. I thought she got a little bit tired. I think she’ll benefit from the two-turn experience, and that’s part of what we were hoping for. The filly that ultimately finished second (Percy’s Bar) is a nice filly. She ran well against us in the Spinaway (G1 at Saratoga Aug. 30, which Tommy Jo won) and has been impressive up to that. So hopefully this brings (Tommy Jo) forward a notch for the Breeders’ Cup (Juvenile Fillies G1).”
“We thought if we won, we would go to the Breeders’ Cup. I think we’ve got to. We’ll not make any decisions now, but we’ll talk about it with Gatewood (Bell) and the (ownership) group (Hat Creek Racing). I think it will be in the cards for sure.”
Luan Machado (rider of Percy’s Bar) On what happened in the race: “I can’t even answer that. I just did what they told me. I guess she moved out, half passed (Tommy Jo) and barely touched (her). I don’t even know. All I know is she was the best horse.”
