Super Jen and Marcelino Pedroza Jr. turned in a super effort to take the top spot in the 22nd running of the $100,000 Indiana Stallion Stakes for two-year-old fillies Tuesday, Oct. 8 at Indiana Grand. The duo topped a field of 10 in a time of 1:13.19 for the six-furlong event.
Sandy’s Newsgirl ridden by Fernando De La Cruz and Betcha ridden by Jose Riquelme were the first ones out of the gate seeking the lead. Both fillies vied for the top spot through swift early fractions with French Vanilla and Leandro Goncalves stalking just behind in third.
As the field moved around the only turn in the race, Pedroza began to get Super Jen motivated to advance. Once she had clearance, she was in pursuit of the lead with authority, reeling in the race leaders and rolling right on by. Betcha stayed up with her for a few strides but could not fend her off in the end as Super Jen was a winner by one and one-quarter length at the finish. Betcha finished a strong second over Little Maemi and Kendall Sterritt, Indiana Grand’s leading apprentice jockey in 2019, who rallied up for third.
The win for Super Jen was her second in five career starts for Miles Childers, Ed Wright Cattle Company and L.T.B. Inc. Bernie Flint trains the freshman daughter of Unbridled Express. Pedroza now has guided her to both of her career wins.
“My plan today was to see her break first,” said Pedroza. “She breaks a little sharper than she used to. Then, I just needed to get her in the right place to race and she went on from there.”
Pedroza is well on his way to a second leading jockey title at Indiana Grand in 2019. The win aboard Super Jen was his 131st of the meet and he is closing in on the record for most purse money accumulated by a jockey in one season. He is currently just under the $3 million mark with the record just over $3 million set in 2016 by Fernando De La Cruz with a tally of $3,146,193. Pedroza also set a new track record for most wins by a jockey in one day with six wins on the card in September.
“I’ve been very blessed this year,” added Pedroza. “I want to thank all the trainers and owners this year for giving me the opportunities. I’ll just keep going and keep doing what I’m doing.”
(from Indiana Grand news release)