Rachel Alexandra colt name announced: Jess's Dream

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Those looking for a 2-year-old colt to bet on in 2014 should remember the name Jess’s Dream.

That’s the name of the resulting foal from the mating of champions Curlin and Rachel Alexandra, who was born earlier this year.

The colt was named after Jess Jackson, who owned Curlin, the Horse of the Year in 2007-08, and Rachel Alexandra, the Horse of the Year in 2009.

Barbara Banke, the widow of Jackson -- who died in April 2011 -- and Chris Jackson, Jess’s son, announced the name Friday in the Saratoga winner’s circle immediately following the running of the Curlin Stakes.

“It was always my dad and her husband’s dream to breed Rachel and Curlin together,” said Chris Jackson. “He believed he could create a super horse, one that was truly capable. We’re going to love Jess’s Dream regardless of what his racing career is.”

The name Jess’s Dream received the most votes (220) from the more than 6,500 submissions Banke and Jackson received during the winter. It was also a name they particularly liked.

“We actually liked that name a lot ourselves and it happened to be the one that had the most votes,” Banke said.

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Chris Bucholtz, of Chino, Calif., was one of the 220 fans who submitted the name Jess’s Dream. A few days ago, Banke and Jackson picked his name out of a hat among the others, and Bucholtz gets to visit Curlin, Rachel Alexandra, and Jess’s Dream at Stonestreet Farm in Lexington.

“In a way racing Curlin and racing Rachel was always about the fans,” Chris Jackson said. “That’s why my father brought back Curlin for his 4-year-old season and Rachel as well. Having a name that was submitted by a lot of avid fans of the two horses kind of made it popular and gives them a chance to take pride in the animal as he competes on the racetrack.”