EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – J Willard, who failed to hit the board in her first 11 career starts, surged from the middle of the pack in mid-stretch and went on to a surprising 1¾-length win in Friday night’s $45,000 Maiden Special Weight sprint for Jersey-breds during the Monmouth-at-Meadowlands meet.

Owned and trained by Linda Simon, and ridden by Adam Bowman, J Willard had an early rail trip in the five-furlong dash before Bowman angled out the daughter of Weigelia-Skip Away Belle by Skip Away at the top of the stretch. It marked Simon’s first win after an 0-for-21 training start this year.

J Willard paid $44.20 to win, covering the distance over a turf course listed as firm in :57.84. The 3-year-old grey filly’s previous best showing had been a fourth place finish.

Molly’s Bullet rallied for second, a half-length ahead of Red Head Italian in the field of eight.

Bowman is now 2-for-2 riding at the meet.

Racing resumes on Saturday with a six-race, all-turf card. First race post time is 7 p.m.