Jackson Bend outclasses In Reality rivals

Not even a bad start could deter Jackson Bend in the In Reality (Jim Lisa Photos)

Jacks or Better Farm’s homebred JACKSON BEND (Hear No Evil) overcame a poor
start and a late challenge to sweep the Florida Stallion Stakes on Saturday with
a 2 3/4-length win in the $400,000
In
Reality division during Calder’s Festival of the Sun. The victory made him
the seventh horse in history to complete a sweep of the open division of the
Florida Stallion Stakes.

“He is the ‘cardiac kid,'” trainer Stanley Gold said. “He scared me at the
start. I was afraid he hurt himself, but he hung in there. I was confident all
along that the distance or the track wouldn’t be a problem. I just wanted him to
get a clean trip.

“As for the Breeders’ Cup, I personally am not a fan of the synthetic tracks.
I’ve never even been to California. The final decision will be up to Mr. (Fred)
Brei (owner/breeder). There will be plenty of races for him down the road at
Gulfstream this winter.”

Jackson Bend, the heavy 4-5 favorite following fourth straight wins including
the Dr. Fager and Affirmed divisions, stumbled badly when the gates opened,
going to his knees and hitting his nose on the ground. The gusty chestnut
quickly recovered beneath jockey Jeffrey Sanchez, rushing up to the outside and
stalking the early pace set by What a Prince (Concorde’s Tune) through fractions
of :24 and :48 4/5. Bim Bam (Deputy Wild Cat), who had run third in the earlier
Florida Stallion events prior to a nice win against open company in the Foolish
Pleasure S., wasn’t far back of the pacesetter and took over through six
furlongs in 1:14.

A jubilant Sanchez celebrates Jackson Bend’s brave victory (Jim Lisa Photos)

“When the gates opened and he stumbled like he did, I thought it was already
over for us,” Sanchez admitted. “This horse did an amazing job to recover the
way he did and get his feet back underneath him. Despite the way he broke, we
got good enough position and from there I just tried to wait as long as I could
to let him run. When we hooked up with Bim Bam, I knew we had him beat.”

Jackson Bend gave back $3.60, $2.60 and $2.10, and started the $14.60 exacta,
$30.40 trifecta and $88.20 superfecta (6-3-4-8). Thank U Philippe was five
lengths in front of Bim Bam on the wire, returning $4.40 and $3 as the 5-1 third
choice. Show was worth $2.80, and completing the order of finish were Allez Reef
(Indian Ocean), Christopher’simage (Halo’s Image), Wave Me By (Untuttable),
Concert Stage (Concerto) and What a Prince.

Jackson Bend is the second registered foal out of the winning Sexy Stockings
(Tabasco Cat), making him a half-brother to this year’s Green Oaks S. and Regal
Gal S. victress Garter Belt (Anasheed). The pair also have an unnamed yearling
half-brother by Black Mambo.

Sweetlalabye floated home in the My Dear Girl (Jim Lisa Photos)

“I felt I had enough horse to win the race the whole way around the track,”
Saez said. “Mr. Tortora told me that the important thing was to get my filly in
good position early in the race and I think that was a big factor because as
soon as I put her into a comfortable spot she let me know how much she wanted to
run.”

Even-money favorite Joanie’s Catch (First Tour) was a dominant 4 1/2-length
winner of the Brave Raj S. over Sweetlalabye following a second behind that
rival in the Desert Vixen division to begin the series, but hit the gate at the
start here and was settled off the pace early. The chestnut lass made her run in
the stretch, but could never catch her adversary while seven lengths better than
Sweet Enticement (Drewman) in third. Joanie’s Catch gave back $2.40 and $2.20,
while show was worth $5.60 as the 32-1 longshot.

Tillie the Tigress round up fourth on the line, followed by Winsockie
(Trippi), Australis Princess (Werblin) and Primal Baby (Macho Uno).

Lucas Brady charged late for the win in the Birdonthewire (Jim Lisa Photos)

“She has done well on the dirt, too, but I think this is her preferred
surface so we’re going to keep her here,” Anderson admitted.

Gary Aiken’s homebred LUCAS BRADY (Trippi) provided a 26-1 upset in the
$75,000

Birdonthewire S. to begin the stakes action at Calder. With Cecelio Penalba
aboard, the Manuel Azpurua-trained juvenile swung out for the stretch run and
just got up to be three parts of a length clear on the line. Lucas Brady was
fourth to Jackson Bend in the Affirmed and sixth to Bim Bam in the Foolish
Pleasure, but finally cleared the stakes hurdle here, finishing 5 1/2 furlongs
on the fast dirt in 1:06 1/5.

“What can I say?” Azpurua stated. “He’s just been developing from race to
race. I think he’s going to be a really nice horse.”

The bay colt improved his career mark to 9-3-1-3 with this win and has
accumulated $87,975 in lifetime earnings.