Jerry Bailey spoiled Pat Day's return to the saddle by getting Jill Robin L up in the final strides to nip favored In the Gold by a nose in the Grade 2, $150,000 Bonnie Miss Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. It was 2 3/4 lengths back to Aspen Tree.

Day, who has taken the bulk of the winter off to spend time with his family, was riding for the first time in five weeks.

After racing on the pace with Aspen Tree and Pleasant Chimes, In the Gold made the lead in midstretch but could not hold off Jill Robin L, who persevered down the lane to get up in time. Jill Robin L, owned by Robert Braunsdorf and trainer Robert Levine, covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:53.12 and returned $22.40.

"At the eighth pole, we had [Aspen Tree]," Day said. "We got by her. We were starting to weaken a touch, and I felt Jerry start coming to the outside. I was hoping the wire would get there a little quicker."

Believing the track favored speed, Bailey had Jill Robin L closer than usual down the backside.

"It was a battle of attrition," said Bailey, who won his fifth Bonnie Miss. "Whoever was the fittest and had the most stamina was going to win today."