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Wildman Jack and jockey Mike Smith, left, nose out longshot Sparky Ville to win the Daytona Stakes
W.C. Racing s homebred Wildman Jack, a graded stakes winning 5-year-old gelding by 2013 Santa Anita Derby winner Goldencents, heads a wide-open field of 11 older horses in Friday s New Year s Day feature, the Grade II, $200,000 Joe Hernandez Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs over the Santa Anita turf in Arcadia, Calif.
Most recently seventh, beaten three lengths after taking the lead turning for home in the G1 Breeders Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland on Nov. 7, Wildman Jack, who is trained by Doug O Neill, was a big second, beaten one length two starts back in the 5 ½ furlong turf Eddie D Stakes here on Sept. 25.