Jebrica looks to end drought in claiming sprint
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
AUBURN, Wash. – More than a year removed from his last victory, Jebrica will take on an easier assignment Saturday when he headlines the co-featured seventh race at Emerald Downs, a $40,000 claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs.
Jebrica’s Where We At ownership group is offering its 6-year-old graded stakes winner for a claiming price at Emerald Downs for the first time. The last time he raced for a tag, he finished a close third in a $50,000 claimer on turf at Santa Anita. That was in January 2013, and Jebrica has recorded one victory in the ensuing 18 months, in the one-mile Budweiser Handicap at Emerald last June.
While his three stakes victories have all come around two (or more) turns – he took the 11-furlong B.C. Premiers at Hastings in 2011 – Jebrica has been an effective sprinter throughout his career. And because his most recent sprint effort was one of his best, Jebrica is sure to be heavily bet in a five-horse field.
In the May 18 Governor’s Handicap, Jebrica closed with a rush to finish second behind Why Not Be Perfect. The latter covered the 6 1/2 furlongs in a stakes-record 1:13.72, and Jebrica was hot on his heels, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 93. On paper, that puts him three or four lengths ahead of his foes Saturday.
A fast pace is expected, and that can only enhance Jebrica’s off-the-pace running style. Memphis Beach, who has won his past two starts on the front end, is likely to make a beeline for the lead after breaking from the inside post. Mike Man’s Gold beat $32,000 claimers in April, running six furlongs in 1:08.01 after attending the pace throughout. Country Rules went gate-to-wire in a first-level optional claimer in early May. The final entrant, Polish Dollar, also prefers to be forwardly placed.
If Jebrica takes up the rear early, he and jockey Juan Gutierrez might need some racing luck to overtake all four. Gutierrez has been the go-to rider for trainer Jim Penney, winning at a 33 percent clip (19 for 58) since the start of Emerald’s 2013 meeting.
◗ In Saturday’s other main attraction, Stikine Slough tops a field of six 3-year-olds in a first-level allowance at one mile, a race in which all six horses will run for the $40,000 optional claiming price. Stikine Slough is fresh from a victory under similar conditions in his last start, his first outing with blinkers.