NEW ORLEANS, LA – Griffon Farms and Michelle Lovell homebred Just Might was an easy 5-length winner to defend his title in Saturday’s off-turf edition of the $100,000 Colonel Power Stakes at Fair Grounds.
Just Might was the 5/2 co-second choice as he broke from post 3 under Colby Hernandez and went straight to the lead, where he set a healthy tempo through opening fractions of :22.36 and :44.89.
Straightening for home with a growing advantage, Just Might was ridden out to win easily, completing the 5 1/2-furlong fast dirt sprint in 1:02.75.
The 8/5 favorite Extravagant Kid was bumped back to last at the break and forced to run wide in the far turn, eventually getting up for second by 3/4 of a length over Went West.
Manny Wah (the other 5/2 co-second choice), Bango, and Archidust completed the order of finish.
Jack the Umpire (off-turf), Turned Aside (trainer), and Captivating Moon (cross-entered in the Fair Grounds Stakes [G3] later on the card; he won) were scratched.
Just Might’s win was his first since taking last year’s event over the local lawn and improved his overall record to 23-4-7-6. Lovell also trains the 5-year-old Justin Phillip gelding, who has now bankrolled $330,482.
Just Might returned $7.40 to win, $3.60 to place, and $3.20 to show. Extravagant Kid brought back $3 to place and $2.60 to show. Went West paid $5.80 to show.
