Sassy Image Rolls From Off The Pace To Win Humana Distaff

May 14, 2011 John Asher

Jerry Romans’ Sassy Image rallied from off the pace to score an authoritative three-length victory over odds-on favorite Hilda’s Passion to win the 25th running of the $345,600 Humana Distaff (GI) for fillies and mares on Saturday afternoon at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Dale Romans and ridden by Robby Albarado, Sassy Image won for the fourth time in five starts at Churchill Downs and secured her third graded stakes victory beneath the Twin Spires.

Hilda’s Passion, ridden by Javier Castellano, set a pressured pace in :22.29 and :44.68 while being hounded by Tidal Pool and Twelve Twenty Two as Sassy Image raced back in fifth in the field of seven.

Albarado began to move on the leaders in the far turn and swung four wide at the head of the stretch. Hilda’s Passion shook clear of her pursuers in upper stretch but could not hold off Sassy Image who blew past at the eighth pole.

Sassy Image, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Broken Vow out of the Hennessy mare Ideal Image, ran the seven furlongs on a fast main track in 1:21.01 and collected $209,987 for the victory that improved her career bankroll to $532,356.

Sassy Image, the longest shot in the field, returned $34.20, $9.40 and $4.80. Hilda’s Passion returned $2.60 and $2.20 and finished three-quarters of a length in front of Amen Hallelujah, ridden by John Velazquez, who paid $3 to show.

Finishing a half-length back in fourth was Tidal Pool, who was followed in order by Shotgun Gulch, Evening Jewel and Twelve Twenty Two. 

HUMANA DISTAFF QUOTES

ROBBY ALBARADO (Jockey, Sassy Image, winner): “It was a great setup. We had enough pace up in front of us to give her some room to clear them turning for home, running from the outside, and she just did all the work.”

How did it feel to win a Grade I after the week you’ve had?

        “You don’t even know. To win any race today would’ve been great.

        “Barry Irwin (owner of Animal Kingdom) decided he didn’t think I was fit to ride; he didn’t know my status or my situation. I’m just glad they thought of me first of all and I’ll get plenty of opportunities to ride the Derby down the road and this just wasn’t my time today.

        “I just want to thank Dale (Romans) for sticking with me. It’s unfortunate I got taken off the horse in the Derby but that’s horse racing, you know, it happens. Down the road I’ll be happy to get on any horse for Mr. Irwin or Mr. Graham (Motion).”

      How do you feel physically?

     “Physically I feel great. It’s more cosmetic than anything. I feel better than I look, I know that.  It doesn’t feel bad at all. It’s more cosmetic than anything. Just the bruising; bruising doesn’t hurt. My nose is broken and I have a little laceration above my eye. Having said that, I’m lucky to be back here and riding on Derby Day in Kentucky.”

         About the shield he’s sporting instead of goggles. 

        “A few of my colleagues brought back these shields for us. They cover my whole face and it’s worked pretty well, I didn’t have to pull it down at all the entire race.”

DALE ROMANS (Trainer, Sassy Image, winner) – “She loves it here; she loves Churchill. She just loves the surface. Robby (Albarado) rode her perfect. The race was quick enough up front that it set up just right for us. When he took her off the turn, she just exploded. Yes, the Breeders’ Cup here in the fall is something to think about for sure.” 

JAVIER CASTELLANO (Jockey, Hilda’s Passion, second as favorite) — “We were going fast, yes, but she always does that. She’s just a speed horse who gives you everything she’s got the whole way. Today, we didn’t win, but she ran good.”

JOHN VELAZQUEZ  (Jockey, Amen Hallelujah, third) — “She runs so hard every time, she never misfires. She did spin her wheels a little bit out there, but I’m proud of her effort.”