She’s Country surged between horses in deep stretch to prevail by a head in the $125,000 Key Cents Stakes on Thursday at Aqueduct. The New York-bred 2-year-old filly was tenacious in securing her second win in three career starts, delivering on a strong ride from Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano.
Once she settled, She’s Country found her rhythm in the mile event on the turf. Javier said, “I was behind and saving all the ground. I like the way she developed in the race, beautiful behind the two horses and inside on the rail.”
Castellano came away encouraged by what the effort revealed. “Today, I like it because she doesn’t have to be on the lead. She can go behind horses, save ground, teach her something, finish good, and between two horses in the battle for the win. I think she’ll step up a lot.”
West Point and bloodstock agent David Ingordo secured She’s Country for $80,000 this past spring at the OBS April sale of two-year-olds in training. Trained by George Weaver, she scored by 6 lengths in her debut at Saratoga this summer. Named for a country song by Jason Aldean, She’s Country races for WPT and co-owners James Politano and LVD Racing.
DRF recap with Javier’s comments
A day before the stakes win with She’s Country, West Point scored a debut win on the turf at Aqueduct with Rhyton. The New York-bred 3-year-old rolled home to win going away in the turf sprint with jockey Manny Franco up. Miguel Clement trains.
