Days after Evening Jewel endured a heartbreaking loss in the Apr. 30 Kentucky Oaks (G1), her trainer Jim Cassidy said his star 3-year-old filly was going to try the turf this summer. With her Memorial Day victory in the $150,000 Honeymoon H. (G2), the versatile daughter of Northern Afleet proved that no matter what the surface, she is a filly of outstanding quality.

The Honeymoon was Evening Jewel’s first try on the grass. She was already a graded winner on the Polytrack, taking the Ashland (G1) at Keeneland before the loss in the Oaks. In the Honeymoon, Evening Jewel was the 4-5 favorite over six opponents. With no one else pressuring her, Evening Jewel was allowed to cut a soft half-mile in :50 1/5 seconds, maintaining a one-length lead. She still had that margin in the stretch when pace quickened noticeably. Evening Jewel showed her class yet again, getting the last furlong in a very quick :11 2/5 seconds, holding off the Grade 3 winner Cozi Rosie by a head.

The $90,000 payday raised Evening Jewel’s lifetime earnings to $606,943. A model of consistency, she is now 4-5-0 in ten starts. She is owned by the Braly Family Trust. Her next start will likely be the prestigious American Oaks (G1), run at 1 1/4-miles on the Hollywood turf on July 3.

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.

Northern Afleet is ranked 10th on the 2010 North American general sire list with earnings of $2,288,164 through May 30. Evening Jewel’s win in sure to move him up a few spots on the list. He has 71 winners on the year, good for fourth among all sires.