Kratz Racing, LLC’s John Johny Jak, ridden by two-time Del Mar
champion Joel Rosario, barely held on in the final strides to win by the
narrowest of margins, a nose, over an onrushing Norvsky, the 8-5
favorite, in Wednesday’s featured $99,390 Harry F. Brubaker Stakes
before 13.296 fans.
John Johny Jak, always well-placed by Rosario in the mile and
one-sixteenth contest over the infield Jimmy Durante Turf Course, took
the lead in the stretch but then was forced to go all out to defeat
Norvsky, piloted by Rafael Bejarano.
Red Sun was third, with early pacemaker Monterey Jazz fading to fourth in the field of nine older Thoroughbreds.
John Johny Jak, a four-year-old son of Wildcat Heir trained by Kristin Mulhall, ran the distance in a fast 1:40.16 and returned $11.20, $5 and $3.60
after his seventh victory in 21 starts. First money of $54,738 increased
the colt’s earnings to $224,709.
Norvsky, victor in the California Dream Handicap in his previous race, paid $3 and $2.40, while Red Sun returned $4 to show.