Spendthrift Farm’s Kentucky homebred Tommy Jo powered to an impressive victory in the $300,000 Spinaway S. (G1), a seven-furlong test for 2-year-old fillies at Saratoga. With the win, Tommy Jo earned a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Del Mar.
“She ran great and is a homebred, which is extra exciting for us,” said Eric Gustavson, owner and president of Spendthrift Farm, “that she was raised on the farm and every division on the farm had a hand in getting her here. It was a big team win and we preach a ‘we, not me’ mentality at the farm first, so that’s a big deal for us. She is named after our only granddaughter as well, so that is like the cherry on top of it all. Her name is Tommy Jo Gustavson.”
By Spendthrift stallion Into Mischief, Tommy Jo entered the Spinaway off a dominant debut victory on July 26 at Saratoga. In the Spinaway, she stalked from third early. She advanced to the front at the three-eights and took command coming out of the far turn, opening six lengths at the stretch call. She cruised to the wire, stopping the clock in 1:23.39.
“I think she got away a little cleaner today, put herself and Kendrick (Carmouche) into a good spot,” said winning trainer Todd Pletcher. “She is so push-button, runs the turns extremely well, and kind of blew the race open at that point. But she’s trained like a special one all summer and obviously her first two races have been very exciting.”
Keeneland Next for Tommy Jo
Pletcher indicated Tommy Jo could make her next start in the Alcibiades (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 3. That test would serve as a bridge to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
“The way she trained into this and the way she galloped out in her breezes, it gives us confidence that she is not just fast, but can stretch that speed out as well,” Pletcher said.
Tommy Jo banked $165,000 in victory while remaining perfect in two starts. She is out of the multiple Grade 1-placed Pioneerof the Nile mare Mother Mother, a half-sister to 2014 Grade 1 Kentucky Derby runner-up Commanding Curve.