Just Aloof © Benoit Photo

Whisper Hill Farm’s homebred Just Aloof, a lukewarm favorite in a field of 11 2-year-old fillies, tracked close up throughout under Hector I. Berrios, then accelerated strongly turning for home to pull away to a two and a half-length tally in the Grade III Jimmy Durante Stakes at Del Mar Saturday.

The daughter of Justify was making only her second start following a maiden victory at Aqueduct in New York on October 16. Trainer Chad Brown won his third Jimmy Durante and his 20th Bing Crosby Season stakes overall for having the foresight to ship the bay miss west.

The winner covered the mile on turf in 1:36.78 and returned $8 for $2.

Finishing second was S3L’s Latte Luv, who had a half length on Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Sabby Racing and Ken Reimer’s La Ville Lumiere.

Just Aloof earned a first prize of $60,000 from the $103,000 purse, pushing her total earnings up to $106,750.

HECTOR I. BERRIOS (Just Aloof, Winner) - “The moment I went to the lead she followed. She is very class. She finished very strong. When we were in the stretch she was a little confused but she is a nice filly. It’s great (to have his first win for Chad Brown).”

JOSE HERNANDEZ asst. to Chad Brown (Just Aloof, winner) – “This filly shipped in Tuesday morning. She’s been training really well, getting over the track really well. I think it set up really well for her. I didn’t tell him (jockey Hector I. Berrios) much. Chad told me to warm her up good and get her in a spot where she could be comfortable and she did what she does.”