Bulletproof One impresses in Everett Nevin romp

Bulletproof One ($9.80), who won the first 2-year-old race of the year in Northern California by eight lengths was even more dominant the first stakes, winning Saturday's $101,500 Everett Nevin Stakes by 9 1/4 lengths at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton.

The 2-year-old Idiot Proof filly quickly assumed command of the race under Cristobal Herrera. She was a length in front of favored Shady Empire after a 22.34-second opening quarter, and the race was basically over. She was three lengths in front of the field at the quarter pole, five lengths in front after five furlongs, and increased her margin late while in hand. The final time for 5 1/2 furlongs was 1:05.04.

Second choice Roses for Laura, another filly, won a four-way photo for second by a neck followed by Dripping Sauce, who was a nose in front of Doc Tommy, who was a nose in front of Shady Empire.

“I felt at the quarter pole I had a lot of horse under me,” said Herrera.

“He didn't even have to ask her,” said owner-breeder-trainer Ellen Jackson, who knew she had a talented runner but had her work twice over the dirt at Pleasanton after her early workouts and career debut over the Tapeta surface at Golden Gate Fields.

“We brought her here when Pleasanton opened for training so she got some works on the dirt,” she said. “There were horses that had run and won on dirt, so that worried me.”

Bulletproof One worked six furlongs on June 22 and then a blistering three furlongs in 34.89 seconds on June 29.

“I didn't know how she would react if she got dirt in her face,” said Jackson.

That's one of the few questions still unanswered about the filly, who earned $60,000 to bring her career earnings to $83,400.

“She was out in front by herself, but that's the way she trains,” said Jackson.

Jackson, who says Bulletproof One is “an old soul in a young body,” was concerned because the filly seemed to get a bit worked up in the paddock while saddling. But she said the filly calmed down as soon as she got on the track with her pony.

In addition to her millionaire sprinter sire, Bulletproof One's dam, Onefunsonofagun, earned $210,920 in a 24-race career and has seen all four foals win. Bulletproof One's half-brother, I Came to Party, has twice placed in $100,000 route stakes.

“I'm hoping I have a lot of phone calls when I get home,” said Jackson, who bought out partner Kevin Nash for full rights to the filly.