SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Totally Justified, who was originally being pointed toward a maiden race at Kentucky Downs but instead re-routed to Saratoga, became a stakes winner Wednesday with a half-length victory over the 4-5 favorite Virgin Colada in the $150,000 P. G. Johnson Stakes.
Totally Justified came into the P. G. Johnson as one of only two maidens in the lineup and the lone member of the field with no previous experience on the grass. But it was her turf breeding, as half-sister to multiple Grade 2 winner Masteroffoxhounds, that led trainer Rusty Arnold and owner Alex Bregman to call an audible and ship her to New York for the race.
“We thought she would move up on grass, obviously she’s bred top and bottom for the turf,” said Arnold, by phone, after the race. “Alex picked out this race. He said she might not get into a maiden race at Kentucky Downs, and that if we could get into the stakes in New York, he didn’t mind shipping her up there and taking a shot. And fortunately George Weaver, who also has horses for Alex, was kind enough to take the filly in at the last minute and saddle her for us.”
Totally Justified showed good early foot as expected exiting a pair of shorter races, as she well placed just off the pace of the 18-1 Second Chance. With jockey Manny Franco aboard for the first time, Totally Justified was sent up to engage the leader approaching the stretch, took command through the furlong grounds, edged clear, and then withstood a late surge by Virgin Colada under vigorous handling to the end.
Virgin Colada, an impressive maiden winner in her only previous start, was reserved in easy striking distance while racing in midpack through the early stages, swung out to launch her bid upon entering the stretch, finished willingly down the center of the course but could not get to the winner. Reining Flowers trailed to the top of the stretch, came widest for the drive and rallied belatedly to be third, another neck behind Virgin Colada.
Totally Justified covered 1 1/16 miles over a firm course in 1:43.87 seconds and paid $14.60.
“We expected she’d be well placed. She broke well and Manny did a terrific job with her,” said Arnold. “I thought she ran really, really well.”
Arnold mentioned the Jessamine at Keeneland on Oct. 4 as a possible option for Totally Justified’s next start before adding, “ but maybe I better let Alex [Bregman] make that decision.”
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