Jean Elizabeth Wins Abundantias Stakes at Gulfstream
The 4 year old Larry Rivelli trained filly won 6 out of 7 starts in 2019!
Reprinted from Gulfstream Park
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Trainer Larry Rivelli was eager to see Jean Elizabeth race on the turf for the first time.
He was hardly displeased, though, when Saturday’s $100,000 Abundantia Stakes for fillies and mares was switched to Gulfstream Park’s dirt track after rain washed the five-furlong race off the grass.
Jean Elizabeth has never disappointed on dirt.
On Saturday, the Illinois-bred 4-year-old ran her career record to a dozen wins in 18 starts by fending off Escapade’s late charge to prevail by a head.
“She’s never been out of the money,” Rivelli said after Jean Elizabeth kept her streak intact.
Rivelli, who trains primarily in the Midwest, usually doesn’t bring that many horses to South Florida in the winter, though he won Gulfstream’s Old Hat Stakes in 2010 with Richiegirlgonewild.
This year he brought 25, including Jean Elizabeth, which he bred and owns in partnership with Richard Ravin.
“She’s just hitting her stride this year,” Rivelli said of Jean Elizabeth, who improved her lifetime earnings to $473,000 with Saturday’s victory.
With jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons, Jean Elizabeth pressed early frontrunner Girls Know Best before holding off the determined late charge of Escapade and jockey John Velazquez. Girls Know Best held on for third in a race that was completed in 57.43 seconds.
Rivelli said he’ll likely look to find a turf race for Jean Elizabeth for her next start.
