Rough and Wild Win for Lady Honey Jo

Lady Honey Jo withstood a challenge from favored Sigrun and then was able to withstand two foul claims and a stewards’ inquiry to win the $50,000 Poinciana Handicap at Hialeah on Sunday.

Lady Honey Jo, an 8-1 shot, held off Sigrun, the 3-2 choice, by 1 1/4 lengths, with My Sister Juliet third.

Before the race was made official, there were foul claims by the riders of Gipsy Countess and Christianachristina, who both finished out of the money, and a stewards’ inquiry involving the start from the seven-furlong chute.

Lady Honey Jo, breaking from post 4, bore out sharply leaving the gate. She crowded Gipsy Countess, from post 5, who in turn bumped Christianachristina, who broke from post 6. The stewards decided the interference was not severe enough for disqualification.

Ridden by Jose Verenzuela, Lady Honey Jo was timed in 1:22 2/5 and paid $18.60, $6.80 and $5.20.