Jackie's Warrior odds-on to set amazing Spa record
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Jackie’s Warrior will be an odds-on favorite to make history Saturday when he seeks to become the first horse to win a Grade 1 stakes at Saratoga in three consecutive years in the $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at six furlongs.
Jackie’s Warrior won the Grade 1 Hopeful at 2 and the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens at 3. In the graded stakes era, only Heavenly Prize and Ginger Punch have won three Grade 1 stakes at Saratoga, but they each won two in one year. Sky Beauty, after being disqualified from first in the Grade 1 Spinaway in 1992, won the Alabama in 1993 and Go for Wand in 1994.
Overall, Jackie’s Warrior is 4 for 4 at Saratoga, having also won the Grade 2 Saratoga Special at 2 and Grade 2 Amsterdam at 3. His narrow victory over Life Is Good in last year’s Jerkens “was as good a horse race as I’ve ever been involved in,” said Steve Asmussen, trainer of Jackie’s Warrior and all-time leading trainer in wins with 9,847 (through Wednesday).
Jackie’s Warrior, owned by Kirk and Judy Robison, has followed his championship season of 2021 with three consecutive graded stakes victories this year. He won the Grade 3 Count Fleet at Oaklawn Park, the Grade 1 Churchill Downs, and the Grade 2 True North at Belmont Park.
“All three of his races to this point have been brilliant,” Asmussen said. “He’s as good, if not better, than ever.”
For all his success, Jackie’s Warrior was assigned high weight of 127 pounds for the Vanderbilt. He’ll concede 6 to 11 pounds to five rivals.
“A rare show of respect with him giving that much weight to his rivals,” Asmussen said. “We’re obviously excited about his chances and how he’ll perform in the Vanderbilt.”
Jackie’s Warrior’s weapon is his speed, and Joel Rosario figures to use it from post 4. Kneedeepinsnow, who drew the rail, has flashed good speed in his two races since being claimed for $80,000 by Matt Shirer in April. He’s in receipt of 10 pounds from Jackie’s Warrior and will be ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr.
Trainer Jorge Delgado entered both Willy Boi and Doc Amster in the Vanderbilt. Doc Amster has speed, while Willy Boi brings a three-race winning streak into the race, including a one-length victory in the Grade 3 Smile Sprint on July 2 at Gulfstream Park. In both the Smile Sprint and Big Drama before that, Willy Boi came from off the pace to win.
“I tried to change his style before the Big Drama, I breezed him a couple of times behind horses and he likes that style,” Delgado said. “We know we can play two cards, but we’ll probably play the card where we come from behind.”
Chantal Sutherland, 3 for 3 on Willy Boi, will be in from Florida for the ride.
Ny Traffic, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., has won three of his last four starts sprinting, but none were graded races. He is coming off a stakes victory on June 17 at Penn National.
Long Range Toddy has lost 21 straight races since he upset the Grade 2 Rebel at Oaklawn in March 2019.