Jackson Bend to join Zito

Robert LaPenta has bought a controlling interest in Jackson Bend (Jim Lisa Photo/Calder Race Course)

Calder star two-year-old JACKSON BEND (Hear No Evil) will be
transferred to trainer Nick Zito, according to a Monday report in Daily
Racing Form.

Robert LaPenta has acquired a controlling interest in the colt
from his owner/breeder, Fred Brei of Jacks or Better Farm.

Since a narrow loss
in his debut, Jackson Bend has won five straight races, including a sweep of the
open division of the Florida Stallion S. — the Dr. Fager, Affirmed and In
Reality most recently — for previous trainer Stanley Gold.

The chestnut colt
had also defeated subsequent Saratoga Special S. (G2) and Futurity S. (G2)
romper D’ Funnybone (D’wildcat) in the Frank Gomez Memorial S.

Jackson Bend, who
has earned $477,820, is scheduled to arrive at Zito’s Churchill Downs barn in
several days. The Breeders’ Cup has been ruled out, with his connections
preferring to look ahead to the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail.