Just Wicked, Tonasah provide thrilling finish in Adirondack

It took a stretch-long battle between 6-5 favorite Tonasah and Just Wicked, but the latter filly just got the best of her rival in the shadow of the wire in Saturday’s $200,000 Adirondack S. (G2) at Saratoga.

Tonasah took the lead out of the gate and proceeded to set splits of :22.21 and :45.52 while chased by Lookout Sister, Heartbreaker Girl and Just Wicked.

It was Just Wicked who separated herself from the others and took after Tonasah nearing the turn. The pair hooked up and, with neither one giving an inch, proceeded to battle it out all the way down the lane.

Finally, right as it looked like a dead-heat was possible, Just Wicked managed to inch clear for the 1 1/4-length victory under jockey Jose Oritz. The juvenile miss stopped the clock for 6 1/2 furlongs over the fast main track in 1:16.61.

Trained by Steve Asmussen for owner/breeder Ron Winchell, Just Wicked is now 2-1-0 from three career starts. She just broke her maiden in her second career try on July 24 at the Spa after finishing a half-length second in her debut on the turf at Belmont Park in mid-June.

While Just Wicked appears like she’ll enjoy more ground, Tonasah may need to stay in sprints for now. Though she was easily best-of-the-rest in this one, the gutsy bay lass just couldn’t hang on the farther they went. It seemed to be the distance that beat her more than anything.

That’s not to say Tonasah shouldn’t ever stretch out, just that for now the Todd Pletcher filly might do better in these shorter contests.

Just Wicked (gray) and Tonasah photo courtesy of NYRA/Joe Labozzetta/Adam Coglianese Photography