Handsome Jack Flash gearing up for big effort in All American Gold Cup

Winning a division of the All American Derby trials at Ruidoso Downs on Aug. 16 was not good enough for Handsome Jack Flash, best known for winning the $2.6 million All American Futurity in 2013.

Handsome Jack Flash won the third trial race, but after the 12th and final trial, Handsome Jack Flash’s final time of 21.59 seconds for 440 yards ranked him 33rd for the day. Horses with the top 10 times earned spots in Sunday’s $1.9 million final.

There is an alternative for Handsome Jack Flash this weekend. He runs in Saturday’s $200,000 All American Gold Cup for 3-year-olds and up over 440 yards at Ruidoso. The winner receives a berth in the $750,000 Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos on Dec. 13. A similar berth is available to the winner of the All American Derby.

Handsome Jack Flash races for Norma and Brenda Alvarez and breeder Debra Laney. A winner of 6 of 7 starts, Handsome Jack Flash is the 5-2 morning-line favorite for the All American Gold Cup.

Handsome Jack Flash was turned out following the 2013 All American Futurity and has won both of his starts this year, beginning with a 440-yard time trial for the Rainbow Derby at Ruidoso Downs in July. He did not run fast enough to qualify for the Rainbow final.

A gelding, Handsome Jack Flash has been with trainer Sleepy Gilbreath since the spring. Jockey Cody Jensen has the mount on Handsome Jack Flash in the All American Gold Cup, which drew a field of 10. Handsome Jack Flash will break from post 9.

KEY CONTENDERS

Handsome Jack Flash

◗ Handsome Jack Flash has won 3 of 4 career starts at 440 yards, with the only loss a second in a division of the All American Futurity trials last year. Gilbreath expects Handsome Jack Flash to be a factor in Saturday’s Gold Cup.

“He came out of the trial really good,” Gilbreath said. “I look for him to run a big race. I think he’s ready for it.”

Jodys Pop Zoomer

◗ The winner of the Texas Classic at Lone Star Park last fall, Jodys Pop Zoomer has won two minor handicaps at Ruidoso Downs this summer, including the Mr Jet Moore Handicap on Aug. 3.

“Jodys Pop Zoomer ran a big race in the Mr Jet Moore,” Gilbreath said. “He’ll be tough to beat.”