Canterbury: Wild Jacob repeats in John Bullit
SHAKOPEE, Minn. – The $50,000 John Bullit Stakes, contested at 1 1/16 miles over a yielding turf course, was an encore for Wild Jacob in front of more than 15,000 fans on Extreme Race Day at Canterbury Park.
Wild Jacob, the 2011 Bullit champion, stalked a quick early pace set by the duo of I’ll Show Them and Dakota Digger under a patient ride by jockey Scott Stevens.
“He needs a solid pace to run at and he got one,” said Stevens.
Brooks Fields winner Stachys made a sweeping move to take the lead on the turn for home but Stevens waited as I’ll Show Them tired and drifted out opening up room on the rail. Stevens asked his mount for run and Wild Jacob took it from there, taking over the top spot in deep stretch and winning by two lengths.
“The turf course was listed as yielding, but it was pretty soft out there,” Stevens said. “He took a couple of clumps but he’s as game as John Bullit, I’ll tell you that.”
The John Bullit has been a milestone race for Stevens, who collected his 2,000th and 4,000th career victories in the race.
A fast closing Edgerin J passed Stachys for second.
Wild Jacob covered the distance in 1:44.94 and paid $13.60 for the win.
Earlier on the card, Minnesota bred Desert Alley won the HBPA Sprint Stakes under jockey Dean Butler. Trained by Tony Rengstorf, Desert Alley ($12.20) covered the six furlongs in 1:10.42 in taking the field wire to wire to win by a length.