The Forward Gal Stakes was won by ZAAJEL, ridden by jockey Luis Saez, trained by Todd Pletcher, and owned by Shadwell Stables.
ZAAJEL was a little fractious in the starting gate. She broke a bit slow, but moved to fifth while QUEEN ARELLA made the lead and set early fractions of 22.77, 46.03, and 1:11.36. ZAAJEL improved to third with less than three furlongs to go. Her jockey Luis Saez began to ask for more speed, putting her through a vigorous stretch drive. ZAAJEL responded by kicking clear and winning by a comfortable 1 ΒΌ lengths. LADY TRAVELER rallied from outside to grab second, WHOLEBODEMEISTER snuck up the rail to get up for third. The final time was 1:24.72 over seven furlongs on a fast dirt track.
ZEEJEL paid $3.2 to win, $2.40 to place, $2.10 to show. The Pletcher filly is now undefeated in her two only starts. She earned 10 points in her road to the 2021 Kentucky Oaks.