Evening Jewel did her sire Northern Afleet proud once again with a win in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks on Aug. 21. This was the fourth graded win of the year for the 3-year-old filly. In a testament to her versatility against top-class competition, she previously won the San Clemente H. (G2), the Honeymoon H. (G2), both on the grass, and the Central Bank Ashland S. (G1) over the Polytrack at Keeneland. She also lost the Kentucky Oaks (G1) by the narrowest of margins to multiple Grade 1 winner Blind Luck.

Evening Jewel got a perfect trip and ride from Victor Espinoza in the $300,000 race over a firm Del Mar turf course. The 1 1/8-mile trip begins out of the infield chute, and Evening Jewel broke perfectly from post four, settling in third along the rail going past the wire for the first time. Espinoza kept his filly in the pocket down the backstretch and around the turn, waiting for a hole to open in front of him. When the leaders drifted out from the rail at the top of the lane, Evening Jewel shot through to get the lead, holding off a very wide Harmonious by a half-length in a final time of 1:47.27.

The $180,000 payday raised Evening Jewel’s lifetime earnings to $876,943. A model of consistency, she is now 6-5-0 in 12 starts for her owners, Tom and Marilyn Braly. Trainer Jim Cassidy told TVG that her next race could be the QEII Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland on Oct 16.

Evening Jewel is the first foal out of Jewel of the Night, who is a half-sister to the multiple stakes winners Saucey Evening and Petition the Lady. She also comes from the same family that includes multiple Grade 1 winner General Challenge.

Evening Jewel is the leading earner on the year for Northern Afleet, who has six stakes winners for the year.  He has 105 winners and 46 repeat winners both rank in the top 10 on the North American general sire list.