West Memorial Springs Upset In Kentucky Juvenile

Swinbank Stables’ West Memorial roared past odds-on favorite Shoot It True at midstretch and went on to post a 1 ¾-length victory in the 30th running of the $247,165 Kentucky Juvenile for 2-year-olds at Churchill Downs Thursday.

Trained by John Hancock and ridden by Rey Gutierrez, West Memorial completed the five furlongs on a fast track in :58.29.

“She had an unbelievable performance," Gutierrez. "For a filly to do that against open company was just wow. I just let her get into stride but she traveled so comfortably and really kicked for home.”

Shoot It True dueled early with Mensa through an opening quarter-mile in :21.91 with West Memorial running third. At the top of the stretch, Shoot It True began to open up on Mensa, but Gutierrez had West Memorial in high gear and she swept past the favorite at the eighth pole.

West Memorial returned $37.88, $16.54 and $8.30. Strummin, ridden by Victor Lebron, rallied for second to return $15.24 and $7.12 and finished two lengths in front of Akinmusire, who paid $6.02 to show under Flavien Prat.

It was another length back to Shoot It True with Tuxedo Park, Mensa, Turnbuckle and Jet Sweep Joe following in order.