Sunday, July 08 2012

JERKENS, 83, SADDLES EMMA’S ENCORE ($80) TO G3 VICTORY RIDE UPSET

ELMONT, N.Y. – Hall of Fame trainer H. Allen Jerkens bolstered his reputation as the “Giant Killer” at Belmont Park Saturday afternoon, sending out 39-1 Emma’s Encore to upset previously undefeated Agave Kiss in the Grade 3, $150,000 Victory Ride.

After breaking alertly, Emma’s Encore settled into fifth as favored Agave Kiss dueled with Jamaican Smoke through a blistering opening quarter-mile in 21.46. Jamaican Smoke headed the favorite to run a half-mile in 44 flat as Emma’s Encore began to gain momentum. Third at the top of the stretch, Emma’s Encore kicked clear through the final sixteenth of a mile to win by 2 ¾ lengths. Her final time for six furlongs was 1:08.89 and she returned $80 as the longest shot in the field of six sophomore fillies.