Jac's Fact looking to right ship in Lewis Memorial
At this time last season, Jac’s Fact had already won four races halfway through a highly successful campaign in which he won seven of 14 starts – including five restricted stakes – and bankrolled slightly more than $300,000 while earning Ohio-bred Horse of the Year honors.
Things haven’t gone as smoothly in 2016, however.
The now-5-year-old Jac’s Fact is still looking for his first victory of the season and has earned just $19,800 in three starts heading into Saturday’s $75,000 George Lewis Memorial Stakes for Ohio-accredited horses at Thistledown. Jac’s Fact easily won last year’s Lewis as the 3-5 favorite, but he’s unlikely to be pounded that hard in the wagering Saturday while stretching out from six furlongs to 1 1/8 miles.
His eight opponents include the 3-year-old My Pardner Cal, switching from turf to dirt following the fastest race of his career three weeks ago. Also entered is Eightthehardway, who trounced Jac’s Fact by 9 1/4 lengths when they met in April going a mile and 70 yards.
Lewis Memorial, Race 7
KEY CONTENDERS
Jac’s Fact, by Kentucky Dane
Last 3 Beyers: 59-61-58
◗ He simply hasn’t been the same dominant force among Ohio-bred males as he was a year ago but has a license to improve while returning to a distance where he has two wins and a second in three starts.
Eightthehardway, by Parents’ Reward
Last 3 Beyers: 57-76-67
◗ This 4-year-old is dangerous if he can repeat the career-best performance he delivered in his first start off the claim in mid-April. But take note: He’s 0 for 5 lifetime at Thistledown, and his new trainer, Richard Vickers, is 1 for 40 with horses stretching out from sprints to routes.
My Pardner Cal, by Big Atlantic
Last 3 Beyers: 74-61-28
◗ Comes back three weeks after recording a career-best Beyer Speed Figure while making his turf debut in his second try going two turns. Trainer Larry Smith is 4 for 12 with a $4.01 return on investment with 3-year-olds challenging their elders in routes while back in 21 days or fewer.
Deniro’s Saint, by Saints n’ Sinners
Last 3 Beyers: 60-63-54
◗ This 6-year-old mare was second-best to Jac’s Fact in this race last year, but the 60 Beyer she earned last out for her runner-up finish against open-company fillies and mares was only three points shy of the figure Jac’s Fact earned in winning the 2015 Lewis.
Plain Ol’ Willard, by Pacific Waves
Last 3 Beyers: 57-59-34
◗ Comes back seven days after winning his first start since November at Belterra Park. He was a distant fourth in this event last year and was fifth in the 2014 running.