Jackie's Warrior shoots to lead and proves much the best in Saratoga Special

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Jackie’s Warrior broke running from the outside post under Joel Rosario, shook off a top-of-the-lane challenge from Therideofalifetime and cruised to a three-length victory in Friday’s Grade 2, $150,000 Saratoga Special.

Therideofalifetime, who finished second to Jackie’s Warrior in a June 19 maiden race at Churchill Downs, settled for second again, four lengths clear of Momos.

Garoppolo was fourth followed by 8-5 favorite Cazadero, Papetu, Market Alert, Pickin’ Time, and Hold the Salsa. Roderick was an early scratch.

The start of the race was delayed a few minutes when longshot Caramel Chip flipped in the gate and was a late scratch. Caramel Chip appeared to be okay. Jockey Luis Cardenas walked away under his power though he took off his final mount on the card.

Jackie’s Warrior, a son of Maclean’s Music owned by Kirk Robison, gave trainer Steve Asmussen his fifth victory in the Saratoga Special and his 18th win with a 2-year-old in 2020.

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Jackie’s Warrior, under Joel Rosario, broke best of the field and quickly established a one-length advantage over Momos after an opening quarter in 22.06 seconds and a half-mile in 44.85.

Nearing the top of the lane, Therideofalifetime, under Jose Ortiz, got to the flank of Jackie’s Warrior. But when Rosario asked his horse to run, Jackie’s Warrior spurted away and won while being geared down late.

Jackie’s Warrior covered the six furlongs over a fast track in 1:09.63 and returned $8.20 as the second choice.

“He wanted me to get him out of there and see where he put himself,” Rosario said. “He broke well, he was on the lead, and I rode him from there. His ears were going back and forth . . . even if the fractions were fast he seemed like he was enjoying that, he had no problem with that.”

Ortiz said Therideofalifetime “ran a huge race. The winner was much the best. The winner broke good, and with babies you break like that you got a good shot, and he’s a good horse also. Beautiful horse, impressive, very athletic.”

Asmussen said he wanted a clean getaway for Jackie’s Warrior - who had shown good speed away from the gate in his debut - “and let his talent take over,” Asmussen said. “At Saratoga, a lot of nice form coming into it but when you get to Saratoga not everybody likes the circumstances. I’m glad to see that he does.”

Asmussen said Jackie’s Warrior would point to the Grade 1 Hopeful here on Sept. 7. Asmussen ran 1-2-3 in last year’s Hopeful with Basin, Shoplifted, and Gozilla.

Cazadero, also trained by Asmussen, apparently didn’t like the circumstances in Friday’s Special. A winner of his first two starts, both at Churchill Downs, Cazadero finished a dull fifth, beaten 9 3/4 lengths under Ricardo Santana Jr.

“Ricardo didn’t think he handled the racetrack at all,” Asmussen said. “With him being 2 for 2 at Churchill, we’ll get him back there.”