Still grieving over the murder of his sister, Dawn, earlier this month, Corey Nakatani climaxed the greatest afternoon of his career by riding Jewel Princess to victory in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
“I’ve got an angel on my shoulder and Dawn is her name,” said Nakatani, who rode two winners Saturday but was winless in 12 previous Breeders’ Cup races. “This is for her, my mother, my dad and my family.”
Jewel Princess is trained by Nakatani’s father-in-law, Wally Dollase.
Just as he did in winning the Sprint with Lit de Justice, Nakatani came from last place in the 1 1/8-mile race contested by six fillies and mares. Maneuvering Jewel Princess into striking position at the stretch call, he then guided her between Serena’s Song and Different to take the lead. She went on to win by 1 1/2 lengths.
Serena’s Song, who’d stalked the front-running Top Secret until taking the lead in the stretch, finished second and 13-10 favorite Different was third, losing for the first time in five starts.
In contrast to the Sprint, the pace was ultra-slow.
Jewel Princess won in 1:48 2/5 and returned $6.80, $3.50 and $2.70.
