Jack Christopher regains winning form in H. Allen Jerkens
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Jack Christopher was back in his comfort zone and back in the winner's circle Saturday at Saratoga after he shortened up to seven furlongs and registered a popular 1 1/4-length victory over Gunite in the $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial.
Jack Christopher suffered his only setback in five career starts by finishing third in stretching out to 1 1/8 miles in the Grade 1 Haskell last month at Monmouth Park. He had captured his first four outings by a combined margin of 25 1/4 lengths at distances ranging from six furlongs to a mile, including two Grade 1 races: the one-mile Champagne at 2 and the seven-furlong Woody Stephens earlier this spring.
With regular rider Jose Ortiz aboard, Jack Christopher broke very alertly and was first to show in front before conceding the lead to Conagher in the opening furlong. Jack Christopher engaged for command approaching the stretch, angled out to the middle of the track leaving the turn, edged well clear nearing the furlong grounds, then easily withstood a mild rally from Gunite. The latter bobbled briefly at the break, raced forwardly placed outside horses and finished well while remaining on his left lead to the wire.
Runninsonofagun saved ground throughout and finished third, 2 3/4 lengths behind Gunite. He was followed by the tiring Conagher, Accretive, Happy Jack, Totalizer, and Actuator.
Jack Christopher, a son of Munnings, is trained by Chad Brown for the partnership of Jim Bakke, Gerald Isbister, Coolmore Stud, and Peter Brant. He covered the distance in 1:21.15 over a fast track and paid $3.10. Jack Christopher was given a 104 Beyer Speed Figure.
“He was great in the Haskell. To cut him back (in distance) and get him back to the winner’s circle is a good feeling,” Brown said. “I’m very proud of this horse. The horse deserves it. Exiting the Haskell, for a couple of weeks after, he was a little stiff. A little tired. I wasn’t sure he was going to make the race. But each week that went by he kept getting a little bit stronger. Back to his old self. His last workout was very impressive and I was very confident coming over here today.”
Brown said he maintained that confident level right from the start of the Jerkens.
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“Once he broke good and was in control of what he wanted to do, I felt very good from that point forward,” Brown acknowledged. “Jose rode a fantastic race. He broke sharp and used good judgment to rate him just a touch. Every pole, he was in control of the race.”
Ortiz said returning to seven furlongs was just what the doctor ordered for Jack Christopher.
“I think he ran great turning back to seven furlongs,” Ortiz said. “I think the race was better than what it looked on paper. We beat some decent horses. Seven furlongs is a tricky distance, I’d rather go a mile. The pace is a little faster and you have to run the whole way. And he did.”