Ticker
  • From DRF (The Inside Post): Always in a Tiz will run in Belmont Stakes 2013.Posted 18 hours ago
  • Mucho Macho Man breezed 5f in 1:01.40 (4/11) at Fair Hill on 5-24. Posted 18 hours ago
  • Wise Dan targets the G2 Firecracker 'Cap at Churchill on June 29.  Posted 1 day ago
  • Jockey Chantal Sutherland will return to saddle at Del Mar. Posted 1 day ago
  • Itsmyluckyday to skip Belmont Stakes 2013 in favor of Pegasus Stakes on 6-16.  Posted 1 day ago
  • Rosie Napravnik will ride Code West in Belmont Stakes 2013. Posted 1 day ago
  • From DRF (The Inside Post): Mylute will not run in Belmont Stakes 2013. Posted 2 days ago
  • Eblouissante breezed 4f :49.17 (18/44) at Belmont (dirt Training) on 5-22. Posted 2 days ago
  • Giant Finish will make his next start in Belmont Stakes 2013. Posted 2 days ago
  • Unlimited Budget is expected to face males in Belmont Stakes 2013. Posted 4 days ago

Jackson Bend Looks to Return to His Winning Ways

Jackson Bend (no. 2), ridden by Corey Nakatani and trained by Nick Zito, wins the James Marvin Stakes for three year olds and upward on July 22, 2011 at Saratoga Race Track in Saratoga Springs, New York. (Bob Mayberger/Eclipse Sportswire)
As a two-year old Jackson Bend swept the Florida Stallion Series at Calder. After winning the 1 1/16 mile Florida Stallion In Reality, trainer Nick Zito and owner Robert LaPenta placed their talented colt on the Kentucky Derby trail. The speedy Hear No Evil colt reeled off three straight place efforts before finishing 12th, about twelve lengths behind winner Super Saver, in the 2010 Kentucky Derby. Zito continued to place Jackson Bend in route races after his Derby effort, but it would take nearly two years and a cutback in distance before Jackson Bend would again find the winner’s circle.


It had been two years since Jackson Bend had been entered in a sprint, but the 7 furlong James Marvin was just the ticket to get the chestnut colt back in the winner’s circle. A month and a half and another sprint later and Jackson Bend was a Grade 1 winner. Since his Forego victory, he has finished second in the G2 Kelso behind the brilliant Uncle Mo and third in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint behind Amazombie and Force Freeze. Despite just missing getting up in time in the BC Sprint and a win at a mile and a sixteenth, it is clear that Jackson Bend is a sprinter through and through. That is why I find the G3 Hal’s Hope Stakes such an interesting choice for the newly minted 5-year old son of Hear No Evil.


Jackson Bend has been tried at a mile four previous times, but the closest he has come to winning at the distance was a three-quarter length loss to Winslow Homer in the 2010 edition of the G3 Holy Bull. It is clear that a mile is not his best distance, but he has a very good chance of making it work for him this Saturday when he faces a field of eight other contenders in the one mile Hal’s Hope Stakes. Two entrants will make his task difficult, however. Among his competition is G3 winner Successful Mission who relishes the mile distance and defending Hal’s Hope Stakes winner Soaring Empire. Successful Mission, a dark bay gelded son of Successful Appeal, will enter the starting gate on Saturday off of a two race win streak and a 47% win rate. Of his eight wins, three have come at a mile with a fourth win at a mile and seventy yards. Soaring Empire (Empire Maker—Flying Passage, by A. P. Indy) is the only other graded stakes winner in the field and has a 40% win rate at Gulfstream Park. The dark bay son of Empire Maker can sprint or route and will be one to watch.


The rest of the field consists of non-graded stakes winners Sangaree, Decisive Moment, and Will’s Wildcat and non-stakes winners Sky Venture, Our Dark Knight, and Cool Blue Red Hot. Cool Blue Red Hot is cross-entered in the G3 Fort Lauderdale Stakes as a main track only entrant. From the inside out, post positions for the field are:


1.Jackson Bend—5/H—J. Velazquez—N. Zito
2.Sky Venture—5/G—J. Leyva—C. Paul
3.Sangaree—7/H—R. Maragh—K. McLaughlin
4.Successful Mission—6/G—E. Trujillo—E. Plesa, Jr.
5.Decisive Moment—4/C—S. Madrid—J. Arias
6.Our Dark Knight—5/H—J. Bravo—N. Zito
7.Soaring Empire—5/H—J. Leparoux—C. Gambolati
8.Cool Blue Red Hot—4/C—M. Cruz—A. Penna, Jr.
9.Will’s Wildcat—4/G—C. Borel—J. Baker


Jackson Bend has been putting in some excellent works since returning to the worktab following his third place effort in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. The task at hand will not be easy, but he should be well up to it. Look for him to run a big race and add a Grade 3 to his résumé.

 

What the Nation is saying about Jackson Bend Looks to Return to His Winning Ways...

JB was yet another one that beat the BC bounce this time. The mile wasn't ideal since it typically isn't his best distance, but he looked good in 2012 debut.
tough place to start the comeback trail
Looks like there's enough speed to set it up for Jackson Bend, I always question BC runners first time back though, so I'm going to try to beat him with Soaring Empire and Cool Blue Red Hot.
Uncle Mo was definitely a freak in the Kelso, DeadHeat. JB's best finish at a mile was second place, so he'll be on the board even if he doesn't win.
Those who say the East has no top sprinters better not overlook JB. I think a one turn mile is with in his abilities, he ran quite a race in the Kelso, just ran into a freak. I hope he returns a winner.
Should be a great race! I *almost* think Soaring Empire may have the advantage.
Jackson B against Soaring Empire is an interesting match-up, and at one of my favorite distances!

Categories

Connect With Ashley
Google+
Find 

Me On Facebook
Follow Me On Twitter
Meet Ashley Tamulonis
 
Growing up, I cannot remember a time when I did not love horses. I also loved reading, so it was only a matter of time before my two obsessions combined into one; I have my mom to thank for that one. Knowing how much I loved horses, when she stumbled upon the book Ashleigh’s Diary by Joanna Campbell, she bought it and brought it home to me. After reading the book, I was hooked. Though horse racing was not mentioned in that book, which was a super edition chronicling events that happened before the main character and her family became involved in the sport, it was what the series was all about. Additionally, thanks to the series, I actually wanted to become a jockey.
 
The Thoroughbred book series kick started what would become a lifelong passion. Unfortunately, Georgia is not exactly big on horse racing, so I have never actually been to a live race. However, I watched every race that was shown on TV; and now, as an adult, I follow the races closer than ever, handicapping, betting on, and blogging about them.
 
I am in the process of earning my B.A. in History at Macon State College, in Macon, Georgia. Along with reading, I have always loved writing. Once I was done with the bulk of my college career and had the time to write for pleasure, I started my own blog, Wired with Ashley Paige, which you can read here. When I was offered the chance to write for Horse Racing Nation, I jumped at the chance. Though I did not pursue a journalism degree in college, I would love nothing more than to pursue a career in writing, especially if it means I can combine my love of writing with my passion for horse racing.