Joe Shiesty dominates Big Daddy Stakes
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Joe Shiesty continues to enjoy a stellar winter at Turfway Park, posting his second straight sprint stakes victory with an emphatic 6 1/4-length romp in the $125,000 Big Daddy Stakes on Saturday night in a win that sets him up well for spring on the Kentucky circuit.
Joe Shiesty, a 5-year-old Air Force Blue gelding, is trained by Eric Foster and is owned by his Foster Family Racing along with Lonnie Reynolds, Vicki Mills, and Donald Coomes. He has now won seven times from 18 career starts, including two turf sprint stakes at Churchill Downs – the 2024 William Walker Stakes and the Mighty Beau Stakes last June, defeating multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire Arrest Me Red in the latter. Joe Shiesty was also third in the Grade 2 Woodford Stakes last October at Keeneland.
A strong winter on Turfway Park’s Tapeta against quality foes has Joe Shiesty positioned well after this meet closes on March 28 and the Kentucky circuit moves back to Keeneland for its April meet, followed by Churchill Downs.
Joe Shiesty won the Holiday Cheer Stakes by a head on Dec. 21, edging Grade 1 winner Howard Wolowitz. He then lined up against Arrest Me Red again for the Big Daddy, a race his older foe won last year.
Joe Shiesty ($6.74) was left relatively unchallenged on the lead as Arrest Me Red, breaking from post 3, was put in tight between foes at the start, leaving him in an unaccustomed position last of seven early. Still, Joe Shiesty, ticked off honest splits under Fernando De La Cruz, getting his opening quarter in 22.25 seconds and the half in 45.46 seconds. He continued to widen his advantage through the stretch to his dominant final margin, finishing the six furlongs in 1:10.44.
Joe Shiesty earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 104.
Arrest Me Red came on with a creditable effort and was easily best of the rest. He is also likely well positioned for upcoming turf sprint efforts for Keeneland-based Wesley Ward.
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