The $300,000 Lexus Raven Run Stakes (G2) was the feature race on Saturday at Keeneland Race Course. Thirteen 3-year-old fillies went 7 furlongs around one turn of the main Polytrack surface, with Prairie Meadows Oaks winner West Coast Swing entering the race undefeated as the 2-1 favorite over Torry Pines winner Seaside Affair, shipping in from Santa Anita. Prioress Stakes 9th place finisher Her Majesty rounded out the top three on the board at 6-1.
9-1 shot Exciting Justice set a pace of 22.61 and 45.69 down the backstretch and around the far turn, while being challenged by Seaside Affair and Her Majesty to her outside the whole way. Favorite West Coast Swing was as far back as 11th early. Entering the stretch, Exciting Justice dropped out of contention as the fast pace set the race up for the closers. West Coast Swing had hit her best stride and was closing strongly, but 16-1 Jibboom had gotten the jump on the favorite. Jibboom split horses entering the lane and took over with over a furlong left, getting 6f in 1:10.08, and drew away to an impressive 4 1/2-length victory over West Coast Swing in 1:22.01. It was another 1 1/2 lengths back to 7-1 Mini Sermon in third.
Results chart
Garrett O'Rourke, farm manager of winning owner-breeder Juddmonte Farms, said, We were supposed to be in the race yesterday (Valley View Stakes) and we were put on the also-eligibles. And, I guess it's fate that it just worked out perfectly today. It's worth more money today, which is all the sweeter, as well."
Jockey Robby Albarado said, "She got up for position within herself at the 3/8 pole and instilled a lot of confidence in me. I was just hoping to get through there at some point, and she did."
