Evvie Jets Arrives For First Lady
At 11h13, on October 4, 2023 • By KEENELAND
The Estate of Robert Amendola’s Evvie Jets, upset winner of the Mohegan Sun Ballston Spa (G2) at Saratoga in her most recent start, arrived at Keeneland Monday from her main base at Belmont Park for Saturday’s 26thrunning of the $750,000 First Lady (G1) Presented by UK HealthCare.
The First Lady will represent Evvie Jets’ first attempt in a Grade 1 race and provide trainer Mertkan Kantarmaci with his first Keeneland starter.
“I have been here for sales and to go to the races, but I never have started one,” said Kantarmaci, a native of Turkey.
Kantarmaci claimed Evvie Jets for $80,000 at Belmont two years ago, and the 5-year-old daughter of Twirling Candy has proved to be quite the acquisition. In 14 races for her new owners, Evvie Jets has six wins and five seconds.
The decision to come to Keeneland for the First Lady was an easy one for Kantarmaci.
“There are no races like this in New York now,” Kantarmaci said. “And the distance (1 mile) is what we are looking for.”
In the Ballston Spa, Evvie Jets defeated Saturday rivals Jumbly (GB) and Gam’s Mission.
