Holy Helena, winless since capturing the Grade 2 Sheapeshead Bay 10 months earlier, ran down the 24-1 Ickymasho to register a hard fought head victory in defense of her title in the Grade 3 The Very One. Semper Sententiae finished third.

Holy Helena, a 1 3/4 length winner of the 2018 The Very One, raced within easy striking distance of the pace setting Ickymasho from the outset before finally wearing that one down in late stretch. The victory was the first in the last seven starts for Holy Helena who had an eventful trip when a beaten favorite earlier in the meet in the Via Borghese and a disappointing sixth when never a factor over yielding turf last out in the Grade 3 La Prevoyante.

Holy Helena paid $6.20 as the favorite after covering a mile and three sixteenths over firm turf in 1:54.20.  The Stronach Stable homebred is trained by Jimmy Jerkens and was ridden to victory by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.

"Irad had her in a good spot, he rode her perfect," said Jerkens.

 Complete recap of the race by Marty McGee available shortly at drf.com