Tommy Jo Shines Bright in the Spinaway Stakes

Spendthrift’s Filly Sparkles at Saratoga, Eyes the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies

Tommy Jo Showcases Major Ability in the Spinaway / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).- Under a flawless ride from Kendrick Carmouche, Tommy Jo (Into Mischief–Mother Mother, by Pioneerof the Nile), carrying the silks of Spendthrift Farm, stamped herself as a star in the making with a 6 1/2-length romp in Saturday’s 134th running of the GI Spinaway S. at Saratoga.

Bred and raced by Spendthrift, the filly made a lasting impression in just her second career start, building on a sharp debut victory and securing an automatic berth to the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar through the Win and You’re In program.

“It’s incredibly rewarding, especially because she’s a homebred where every division of the farm had a role in getting her here,” said Eric Gustavson, owner and president of Spendthrift. “And she’s named after our only granddaughter, Tommy Jo, which makes it even more special.”

With John Velazquez away at Del Mar—where he guided Fierceness (City of Light) to victory in the GI Pacific Classic—Carmouche stepped in and executed Todd Pletcher’s game plan to perfection.

“The idea was to let the speed go and then let her stride out when it mattered,” Carmouche explained after earning his fourth career Grade I win. “I knew I was sitting on the best horse.”

Breaking from post five, Tommy Jo tracked in third as Mythical (St Patrick’s Day) and Sina (Gun Runner) duked it out through rapid fractions of :22.22 and :44.54. Asked for her run on the turn, the bay surged past without resistance and drew off to stop the clock in 1:23.39, earning a rousing ovation from the Saratoga crowd.

The win marked Pletcher’s record seventh Spinaway, surpassing Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas. “She’s very special—quick, smart, and she handles the turns beautifully,” the trainer said. “We’re very excited about her future.”

Pletcher noted that the GI Alcibiades S. at Keeneland Oct. 3 could be next, stretching the filly out to 1 1/16 miles as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup.

Now unbeaten in two starts with earnings of $165,000, Tommy Jo hails from the multiple Grade I-placed Mother Mother, herself a half-sister to Classic-placed Commanding Curve (Master Command).