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Concrete Rose Earns Breeders’ Cup Berth with JPMorgan Chase Jessamine Victory

Posted at 6:06 PM, Oct 10, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-10 18:06:37-04

LEXINGTON, KY. (Oct. 10, 2018) – Ashbrook Farm and BBN Racing’s Concrete Rose moved to the front inside the eighth pole and powered her way to a 3-length victory over Pakhet to win the 28th running of the $200,000 JPMorgan Chase Jessamine (G2) for 2-year-old fillies before a Wednesday afternoon crowd of 9,331.

Trained by Rusty Arnold and ridden by Jose Lezcano, Concrete Rose covered the 1 1/16 miles on a firm turf course in 1:44.09 in the Breeders’ Cup Challenge race, which earned her a fees-paid berth into the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) to be run Nov. 2 at Churchill Downs.

City Diva led the field of 13 through fractions of :23.34, :48.04 and 1:13.38 with Monkeys Uncle in closest pursuit as Lezcano hugged the inside rail with Concrete Rose.

At the head of the lane, Lezcano swung Concrete Rose to the four path for clear running and by midstretch the decision was no longer in doubt as she seized control and never was threatened in the run to the finish line.

The victory was worth $120,000 and improved her earnings to $166,750 with her second victory in two starts. A Keeneland sales graduate, Concrete Rose is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Twirling Candy out of the Powerscourt (GB) mare Solerina.

Sent off as the second choice, Concrete Rose returned $7.20, $4.80 and $3.60. Pakhet, ridden by John Velazquez, returned $11.40 and $6.80 and finished a neck in front of Belle Laura who paid $14.20 to show under Corey Lanerie.

Favored Fierce Scarlett finished another three-quarters of a length back in fourth and was followed in order by Princesa Carolina, Speedy Solution, Irish Willow, City Diva, Lightscameraaction, Zalia, Monkeys Uncle, Lucky Girasol and Espresso Shot.

Racing resumes Thursday with a 10-race program that begins at 1:05 p.m. ET.

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Tomorrow is the 11th annual Make-a-Wish Day, which Keeneland presents in partnership with local Thoroughbred farms and organizations. Wish children and their families are treated to a VIP day at the races, complete with lunch, meeting jockeys in the Paddock, watching their sponsor’s race from the Winner’s Circle and presenting a trophy to the winning connections after each race.