Jakarta back quick in Penn's Landing, one of the day's three stakes
The one time Jakarta raced at Parx Racing, the consistent mare was a pacesetting winner of the $100,000 Mrs. Claus on Dec. 28.
Pennsylvania-bred Jakarta returns Monday as the morning-line favorite in the Penn’s Landing for fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs.
The Penn’s Landing is one of three $100,000 stakes on the 11-race program along with the Washington Crossing for 4-year-olds and up at a mile and 70 yards and the Fishtown for 4-year-olds and up at six furlongs.
A multiple stakes winner for Mike Maker and owner Three Diamonds Farm, the Mrs. Claus was Jakarta’s first start for Michael Trombetta, and first race on dirt in over a year. She relished the surface switch.
Jakarta bested two next-out winners in the Mrs. Claus. One of them, Miss Mosaic, returned to win the American Beauty at Oaklawn Park before being retired and bred to Tapit, according to trainer Ben Colebrook.
Trombetta has kept Jakarta busy since the Mrs. Claus. The 7-year-old daughter of Bustin Stones ran third in Gulfstream’s Grade 2 Inside Information on Jan. 29. Last month, Jakarta ran a bang-up second to favored Glass Ceiling in Laurel Park’s Grade 3 Barbara Fritchie.
Reached Friday morning, Trombetta expressed some concern about the timing of the Penn’s Landing, mentioning the race came back only 16 days after the Fritchie. He also lauded Jakarta’s consistency and expects her to be close to the pace under jockey Victor Carrasco.
Cinnabunny won the Flashy Lady at Remington Park to close her 4-year-old campaign on Sept. 26, then was purchased for $240,000 at the Keeneland November sale. The Golden Lad mare will make her first start Monday for Cal Lynch.
Trainer John Servis cuts Precious back in distance following a planned layoff. Although a stakes winner routing at Parx, Servis said “she got loose on the lead and controlled the pace. I really think two turns is too much for her.”
Ten are entered, but Colebrook mentioned Friday morning that Club Car will likely start in the Correction Stakes on March 12 at Aqueduct. I’m the Talent, Hey Mamaluke, Glory Dia, Discreetly Tough, Shero, and Bess are expected to run in the Penn’s Landing.
Fishtown Stakes
Trainer Lynn Cash told Daily Racing Form before Laurel’s Grade 3 General George on Feb. 19 that Sir Alfred James is at his best when he makes the lead and the rail. The 6-year-old gelding drew the inside post for the Fishtown, but will he get to the front?
Morning-line favorite Hollywood Jet has won his last four starts in gate-to-wire fashion, albeit against weaker competition, while the Servis-trained Uncle Ernie has made the lead in five of his six starts. A pace barbecue could help late-kicking Mojovation, who seeks his third straight victory for Jamie Ness.
Smooth B, Fortheluvofbourbon, Our Philly Special, Breezy Gust, Midnightcharly, Prince of Rain, and Bybee also entered.
◗ Popular 10-year-old Backsideofthemoon and 2020 Remsen Stakes winner Brooklyn Strong are the marquee names for the Washington Crossing. They’ll tackle a field that includes stakes winner Dreams Untold, Irish Honor, Bird King, Splicethemainbrace, New Commission, Halite, Kingsville, and Souper Fly Over.