Jac's Fact back with his friends in Michael Rowland Memorial
Jac’s Fact, the 2015 Ohio-bred Horse of the Year, returns to restricted company Saturday after two failed tries against open company in the $75,000 Michael Rowland Memorial Handicap at Thistledown.
The six-furlong race is restricted to Ohio-accredited horses and goes as race 7 at 3:55 p.m. Eastern.
A year ago, while making his first start in five months, Jac’s Fact was last of 10, trailing by nearly eight lengths, after the opening quarter-mile of the Rowland and still managed to win the race by 2 3/4 lengths.
Of the eight opponents the 5-year-old Jac’s Fact faces Saturday, six are a combined 0 for 19 at Thistledown. The only horses to have won locally are Startin’ Something, an 8-year-old mare mired in a 27-race losing streak, and Pyrite Mill, third in his only previous try against Jac’s Fact in last fall’s Catlaunch going 1 1/16 miles.
Rowland Handicap, Race 7
KEY CONTENDERS
Jac’s Fact, by Kentucky Dane
Last 3 Beyers: 61-58-71
◗ He has yet to display the form that enabled him to win seven races last year but should respond to the drop into Ohio-accredited company.
◗ His only sprint victory in the last two seasons came in last year’s Rowland.
Eightthehardway, by Parents’ Reward
Last 3 Beyers: 76-67-60
◗ He beat Jac’s Fact by 9 1/4 lengths in the most recent start for both horses, but that was going a mile and 70 yards.
◗ He’s 0 for 4 at Thistledown, and none of his best sprints appear to be fast enough to threaten Jac’s Fact.
Pyrite Mill, by Mercer Mill
Last 3 Beyers: 63-58-76
◗ A year ago, he had just won for the bottom $4,000 claiming level at Thistledown, where all nine of his victories have come.
◗ He was 10th in this stakes two years ago.
Mound, by Mercer Mill
Last 3 Beyers: 48-57-70
◗ He woke up at 37-1 three starts ago in an open-company allowance but failed to display the same sort of early speed in two subsequent starts.
◗ He flashed speed and faded to ninth in this event last year.