Never Retreat sparkles in Jenny Wiley

[truebluefan]

Team Block's Never Retreat, coming off her first graded coup in the March 5 Grade 3 Honey Fox at Gulfstream Park, made it a double against a considerably higher-caliber of opposition in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 Jenny Wiley at Keeneland. Settled in the proverbial garden spot just off the pace, the Chris Block mare launched her bid turning for home, quickened smartly on the rain-softened ground, and edged clear. The 7-1 shot negotiated 1 1/16 miles in 1:44 3/5 on the yielding turf and rewarded her backers with $16.60, $7.80 and $4.40.

Never Retreat broke alertly for Shaun Bridgmohan and led in the initial strides, but was happy to concede the pacesetting role. Kiss Mine was the first to volunteer, covering the opening quarter in :24 2/5, until C. S. Silk asserted herself entering the backstretch. As C. S. Silk reached the half in :49 stalked by Kiss Mine, Never Retreat was a few lengths away in third.

The field began to bunch up on the far turn, and Never Retreat was preparing to join the leaders through six furlongs in 1:14 1/5. Fantasia (GB) was likewise gaining, and a rousing stretch run appeared to be in the offing. Never Retreat quashed that notion in a few strides, pulling away by 1 3/4 lengths in a convincing display.

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