Jean Elizabeth Wires Lightning City

OLDSMAR, FL – Richard Ravin, Patricia’s Hope, and Larry Rivelli’s win machine named Jean Elizabeth kept right on a-rolling Saturday, this time gamely wiring the $100,000 Lightning City Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

Hustled hard as she broke from post 9 under Albin Jimenez as the 4/5 favorite, Jean Elizabeth wasted no time angling over toward the rail to save ground on the front end. While Escapade and R Happy Ending stalked closely from her outside, Jean Elizabeth posted opening fractions of :20.83 and :43.57.

Never given a breather as she rounded the far turn, Jean Elizabeth nevertheless dug in gamely and fought to maintain position. A late rally from Miss Deplorable came up a 1/2-length short in the end when the Rivelli-trained Jean Elizabeth finished the 5-furlong sprint over the firm turf course in :55.09.

Miss Deplorable usurped R Happy Ending late for second, with Ode to Joy a neck behind that rival in fourth. After pressing early, Escapade weakened to finish fifth, a 1/2-length ahead of Jo Jo Air.

Behind them came Rocky Policy, Thinkin Cowtown, Ambassador Luna, and Bayberry to complete the order of finish. Charmaine’s Mia, Girls Know Best, Mae Never No, and Stylishly were scratched.

Jean Elizabeth’s win was her seventh straight, all against varying levels of stakes foes, to improve her record to 20-14-4-2. The Illinois-bred 5-year-old daughter has now earned $607,688 in her career.

Jean Elizabeth returned $3.60 to win, $3 to place, and $2.80 to show. Miss Deplorable brought back $16.20 to place and $7.20 to show, while R Happy Ending paid $4.80 to show.