Jackson Bend goes for series sweep

MIAMI - What do D' Funnybone, Homeboykris, and Blind Luck all have in common? All three began their careers at Calder and are considered to be among the top 2-year-olds in the country.

They also have one more thing in common. None was considered to be the cream of Calder's 2-year-old division at the time of their departure from south Florida. That honor still belongs to Jackson Bend, who will attempt to complete a sweep of the open division of the Florida Stallion series with a victory in Saturday's $400,000 In Reality Stakes.

The In Reality and its filly counterpart, the , a Win and You're In race for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

Jackson Bend has been a dominant force in the local 2-year-old division since early June, when he won his maiden at second asking for trainer Stanley Gold. He has proceeded to win three straight stakes, defeating D' Funnybone by a half- length in the Frank Gomez before rallying to capture the opening two divisions of the Stallion series, the Dr. Fager and Affirmed.

Gold decided to forgo giving Jackson Bend a two-turn prep for the 1 1/16-mile In Reality and will bring his star into the race off a seven-week layoff with a series of works that culminated with an outstanding one-mile drill in 1:41.20 on Oct. 3.

Jackson Bend's chief competition in the In Reality figures to come from Bim Bam, Allez Reef, and Thank U Philippe, who were the first, second, and fourth finishers in the Foolish Pleasure on Sept. 26.

Bim Bam, third behind Jackson Bend in both the Dr. Fager and Affirmed, turned in a very game effort when he edged away to a 2 1/2-length decision in the Foolish Pleasure. Bim Bam has improved his Beyers in each start sinsce debuting under a $32,000 claiming tag on June 18.