Wildman Jack Returns To Dirt, Captures Palos Verdes Stakes At Santa Anita Sponsored by:
Wildman Jack and jockey Abel Cedillo win the Palos Verdes Stakes
Trainer Doug O Neill s Wildman Jack relished a return to the main track on Saturday at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., as he drew off to an emphatic 4 ¼-length win in the Grade 3, $200,000 Palos Verdes Stakes. Ridden by Abel Cedillo, he got six furlongs in a scintillating 1:08.98.
Breaking from post position two, Cedillo was content to let last year s Palos Verdes winner, Captain Scotty, clear him early and then Wildman Jack tracked the pacesetter into the far turn. Leaving the quarter pole, Wildman Jack put a head in front and although he was a bit green late, won in-hand at the wire, providing Cedillo his third win on the day and O Neill with a training double.
Wildman Jack Relishes Return to Dirt in Palos Verdes bloodhorse.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bloodhorse.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Trio Of Graded Wins Nets Joel Rosario Jockey Of The Week Title Sponsored by:
Kalypso and Joel Rosario winning the Grade 2 Santa Ynez
Joel Rosario captured all three graded stakes events at Santa Anita leading to Jockey of the Week honors for Dec. 28 through Jan. 3. The award, which is voted on by a panel of racing experts, is for jockeys who are members of the Jockeys Guild, the organization which represents more than 950 active riders in the United States as well as retired and permanently disabled jockeys.
Rosario started the new year on Friday aboard Hembree in the Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes for trainer Peter Miller. Racing last about 6-1/2 lengths off the lead in the turf contest, Rosario hugged the rail and slipped through a narrow opening three sixteenths of mile out and unleashed a powerful stretch run repelling a late challenge from True Valour to cover the 6-1/2 furlongs in 1:13.80.
$62,500 Claim Hembree Pays Off in Joe Hernandez Stakes bloodhorse.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bloodhorse.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Weekend Lineup: 2021 Preps For Kentucky Derby, Oaks Get Under Way Sponsored by:
Cleopatra s Strike, shown winning the G2 John Henry, will try to upset Count Again in the San Gabriel
One year ago, an Into Mischief colt with just a maiden victory to his credit began his march toward glory in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby and, eventually, the G1 Breeders Cup Classic and a likely Horse of the Year title. The colt, Authentic, scored by 7 3/4 lengths in the G3 Sham Stakes as the 6-5 favorite for trainer Bob Baffert.
This year, another son of the Spendthrift Farm stallion trained by Baffert will make his sophomore debut in Saturday s Sham as an even heavier favorite. Life Is Good, who scored in his debut on Nov. 22 at Del Mar by 9 1/2 lengths, was made the 2-5 favorite as he faces four others (including a stablemate) in the one-mile Sham, a race that will be worth 10-4-2-1 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby to the top four finishers.