Juddmonte Farm’s Ventura found room on the rail under jockey Garrett Gomez Saturday afternoon, shot through to the lead and held off Lady of Venice for a ¾--length victory in the 15th running of the Grade 1, $400,000 Just A Game, presented by Fly Emirates.

It was the third victory in four starts for the 4-year-old Chester House filly since joining Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel’s barn earlier this year. It was also her second graded stakes victory in that span.

The Just A Game, a one-mile race for fillies and mares on the Widener Turf course, merited an upgrade to Grade 1 status this year and lived up to the billing. Multiple graded-stakes winner Bayou Lassie burst to the lead. She took to the firm course, setting fractions of 23.52, 46.55 and 1:09.68.

Ventura, meanwhile, held her position on the rail and even though she was steadied at one time, she kept fighting on until a seam opened on the rail. Given the `go’ by Gomez, Ventura struck to the lead and hit the wire in 1:32.75.

“I thought the one-turn mile would help her,” said Frankel. “I think the way the course was soft the last time, they stayed in the same spot all the way around. Next? Maybe the Cash Call.”

Ventura, now 6-for 12 lifetime, returned $21.20.

Lady of Venice, the post-time favorite, lost for the fifth straight time, but she has not lost favor with trainer Kiaran McLaughlin

“She ran very well,” McLaughlin said. “You like them on the turf, but you have to work out a good trip. A nice filly won it. Lady of Venice is a Grade 1 filly; we just have to get lucky and win it. Next, she will go in either the Cash Call or the Diana.”

Forever Together was third, followed by Bayou’s Lassie, Sharp Susan, Bit of Whimsy, Criminologist, Vacare, Spenditallbaby and Them There Eyes.