BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Let go with 40-1 odds, Florida-bred Awesome Pic stayed on the rail around the turn then pounced on fellow Florida-bred and odd-on favorite Julee’s Legacy at the top of the stretch to win the Jackie H. Starter Handicap Qualifier at Colonial Downs Saturday. The victory gives Awesome Pic an automatic berth in the Jackie H. Starter Handicap during the 28th running of the Claiming Crown at Churchill Downs on November 14. The six-furlong Jackie H. Qualifier featured nine fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and older which had started for a claiming price of $16,000 or less in 2025-2026. Awesome Pic won under 120 pounds, conceding four pounds to the top-weighted Julee’s Legacy.

Ridden by Daniel Centeno for trainer Enrique Hernandez, Awesome Pic broke on top from post one and led for the first sixteenth of a mile before allowing Julee’s Legacy to take a clear lead after she started from the outside post nine. Julee’s Legacy showed the way around the turn and into the stretch as Awesome Pic raced in second on the inside of Stylet. At the top of the stretch, Centeno took Awesome Pic to the outside of Julee’s Legacy and got to the lead in the final furlong before drawing off to win convincingly in 1:09.29. Tiz Purple was two lengths back in second while Miss Interpation was three-quarters of a length farther back in third. Casa Juanita, Florida-bred Miguel’s Belle, Destination, Julee’s Legacy, Stylet and Battleshipper completed the order of finish.

Awesome Pic paid $82.60 to win.

Tiz Purple also earns an automatic berth into the Jackie H. Starter Handicap on the Claiming Crown program.

It was the second victory in the last three races for Awesome Pic, who won a $5,000 starter allowance, $8,000 optional claiming going six furlongs at Delaware Park on June 17 then was fourth under identical conditions on July 24.

A 6-year-old daughter of Ocala Stud stallion Awesome Slew, Awesome Pic improved her record to 11 wins in 46 starts with six second and seven thirds. She earned $37,500 for owner Carlos Diaz to increase her career bankroll to $314,850. Hernandez and Diaz claimed Awesome Pic for $5,000 at Tampa Bay Downs in April of last year. She has won five with four seconds and four thirds in 19 starts since.

Awesome Pic is out of the Overdriven mare Shirley’s Pic and bred in Florida by Richard George.

Return to the August 22 issue of Wire to Wire