Evening Jewel, a 3-year-old daughter of Northern Afleet, was the unluckiest of losers in the Feb. 13 Las Virgenes (G1) at Santa Anita, getting beat just a nose by Blind Luck, who finished second in the 2009 Eclipse voting for 2-year-old filly honors.

The one-mile Las Virgenes was a turn-back in distance for Evening Jewel; she was most recently second in the 1 1/16-mile Santa Ysabel (G3). Taken a bit further off the pace this time, Evening Jewel was several lengths behind the leader on the backstretch, but still well-positioned in third in a fairly strung-out field. They began to bunch up on the far turn, and a three-way battle ensued in the final furlong. Evening Jewel took the lead in deep stretch, only to see Blind Luck nip her by the narrowest of margins. The race saw Evening Jewel earn a career-best 88 Beyer Speed Figure.

Evening Jewel’s second place finish continued a streak that has seen her finish no worse than runner-up in six consecutive races. Her only off-the-board finish came in her debut at Del Mar last August.  Her overall record now stands at 2-4-0 from seven starts, with earnings of $170,600 for owners Tom & Marilyn Braly. She is trained by Jim Cassidy.