Photo: Oaklawn Park
Stephen
Brown’s Jake Mo had some hop to his step during an Easter morning
workout at Oaklawn as he lays in wait as a potential upsetter in
Saturday’s $1 million Arkansas
Derby (G1).
The
fourth-place finisher in the Rebel Stakes (G2) and runner-up in a
division of the Southwest Stakes (G3) has been close to breaking through
all season for trainer Allen
Milligan. Sunday’s work was further evidence in his mind the son of
2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo deserves a chance in the marquee
event of the Oaklawn season.
“He’s
always overcome everything and he’s always running at the end,” said
Milligan, who is in contention for leading trainer this season. Jake Mo
breezed five furlongs
in 1:00 under Martin Escobar in a move described as “perfect” and
“super.” Regular jockey Cliff Berry took the holiday off but will be
back aboard Saturday.
Jake
Mo’s biggest win came last summer in the Prairie Gold Juvenile in Iowa,
but he’s quietly had a presence at major events since then despite
losing six straight. The
record has Milligan realistic about his charge, but excited about what a
big effort Saturday could portend.
“He’s
always seemed just a notch below a really good horse,” he said. “But I
like the fact that he’s always trying. He’s found a way to get through
traffic. He keeps coming.”