After blazing early fractions, late-running longshots fill Jump Start trifecta

Veeson benefited from a strong pace up front and roared down the center of the track to upset Tuesday’s $100,000 Jump Start Stakes for Pennsylvania-bred 3-year-olds and upward traveling seven furlongs at Parx Racing.

Trained by Ernesto Padilla-Preciado and ridden by Dexter Haddock, Veeson was outrun early as Bourbon Music and Fore Harp blitzed an opening quarter in 22.17 seconds while tracked by Dollarization, favored Beren, and a three-wide Jean Valjean.

Fore Harp called it quits entering the turn, but Bourbon Music didn’t have time to breathe. He was immediately confronted from the outside by Jean Valjean, and they completed a half-mile in a quick 44.90.

The leaders faltered turning for home and Dollarization slipped through along the rail to briefly poke a head in front.

Prince of Rain was the first to pounce from the back, having made a prolonged bid from last to grab the lead outside the furlong marker. He appeared on his way to victory, but Veeson was just getting started.

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Veeson ($45) careened down the stretch to reach the wire a head in front of 14-1 Prince of Rain in 1:26.56. One More Scoop finished a length behind in third at 32-1.

The $2 exacta paid $524.60 and the 50-cent trifecta returned $1,926.35

Dollarization finished fourth and was followed by Strawberty Treat, Bourbon Music, Beren, Jean Valjean, John Dutton, Smooth B, Word On a Wing, and Fore Harp.

Keithsendshelloooo, Ninetyprcentmaddie, and Good On Ya scratched. Veeson returned $45 as the ninth choice in the betting.

Although dismissed on the tote, Veeson entered the Jump Start in fine fettle. Multiple stakes-placed last year, he returned from an eight-month layoff to graduate against statebred maiden special weights at Parx on Aug. 21. Four weeks later, he rallied from off the pace to win a “two-life” allowance over sloppy going.

Veeson is a homebred owned by Chuck Russo. He is a 3-year-old colt by Il Villano out of a Spring At Last half-sister to Grade 3-winning dirt router Quick Wit. Veeson has won three times from 10 starts for lifetime earnings of $221,440.

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