Hialeah: Joltin Jess breaks 550-yard world record for Quarter Horses

Joltin Jess, disqualified and placed last in the opening day stakes at Hialeah Park, rebounded with a world-record performance in Sunday’s $32,375 Crystal River Stakes for Quarter Horses.

A 5-year-old Oklahoma-bred gelding, Joltin Jess ($9.40) blew away his eight rivals when he ran 550 yards in 26.033 seconds, winning the second leg of the track’s new marathon series by 2 1/4 lengths. His time was .063 of a second faster than the previous world record for the distance of 26.096 seconds set by Icu Cash at Zia Park in 2011. It was almost a half-second better than the previous Hialeah track record for 550 yards, 26.528 seconds recorded by Riden With The King in January 2012.

In the Orange Blossom Stakes on Nov. 29 at Hialeah, Joltin Jess crossed the finish line second, a neck behind winner Doyles Dashing Star, but he was disqualified for interference. Trainer Matt Frazier said he made a slight equipment change that enabled jockey Shanley Jackson to maintain a straighter course with Joltin Jess.

“We tried a new bit, one that we hoped would give Shanley more control, and it worked out well,” Frazier said. “He ran well.”

Jackson agreed. “I knew he’d be tough if I could keep him running straight at full speed,” Jackson said. “That was the idea with the new bit and that’s how it worked out.”

Joltin’ Jess is now 8 for 22 lifetime with earnings of $176,036. Jets Quick Fortune finished second, a neck in front of 12-1 outsider Sheila Tequila.

The marathon series continues with the Moonstone Stakes at 660 yards on Jan. 5, the Key West Stakes at 1,000 yards on Jan. 26, and the Sailfish Stakes at 1,000 yards on closing day, Feb. 23.