Across the state, the very top-ranked fillies and mares lined up for the Breeders Bowl Distaff, but here in Eastern Kentucky the second tier came out in force for the Grade 2 Cool Hand Luke. A full field enjoyed the fast conditions, but it was the up-and-coming LEGEND OF JONES(KY) who stamped herself the best with a convincing two-length win. She collared frontrunning ALLEY JUSTICE(KY) early in the stretch and pulled away. Only BOSUNSHINE(ENG), who had been denied only a head in the Bra Snap, could go with her, but LEGEND OF JONES(KY) kept her easily at bay. Snownut winner SKY OF SCARLET(KY) used her late speed to just catch ALLEY JUSTICE(KY) near the line for third, but both were over five lengths back. They left eight other graded stakes winners in their wake, including my own FLAMBOYANT GOTHIC(JPN).
The winner, slightly favored at 6 to 1, registered a 113 in her third straight victory and moved to #20 in her division. The Smarty Jones product is only four, so she looks poised for a productive 2011 campaign.