NEWS
Jambalaya adds spice to salty Arlington Million field
Posted: Friday, August 10, 2007 11:10 AM
JAMBALAYA
Bill Denver/Equi-Photo
by K. T. Donovan
As the horses prepare for the Arlington Million Stakes (G1) on Saturday at picturesque but humid Arlington Park, five-year-old Jambalaya might be overlooked by many who instead are narrowly focused on California-based standouts The Tin Man and After Market.
The consistent Canadian performer, however, is on the verge of becoming a millionaire in the Million.
Off the board only five times in 20 starts, Jambalaya has performed admirably for owners-trainers Todd and Catherine Day Phillips at both their summer base at Woodbine and their winter base at Gulfstream Park, as well as a victory in the Saranac Stakes (G3) at Saratoga Race Course as a three-year-old.
“He’s shipped all over and does well,” Catherine Day Phillips said, noting that her husband drove him from Canada in their own trailer. “He loves to travel. He likes to go to different places. He gets right on the van and loves it.”
Jambalaya is stronger and more mature this year, and seems to be improving. Lean and fit, the bay Langfuhr gelding beat Honey Ryder, a contender in the Beverly D. Stakes (G1), in the Gulfstream Park Breeders’ Cup Turf Stakes (G1) despite a troubled trip. He also won the Bulleit Bourbon Pan American Handicap (G3).
He was then given a well-deserved break and returned to finish third, just a neck back in the King Edward Breeders’ Cup Stakes (Can-G2) over 1 1⁄8 miles.
Jambalaya runs his best from that distance up to 1 3⁄8 miles. Day Phillips felt the 1 1/2 miles of the Northern Dancer Breeders’ Cup Turf Stakes (Can-G2) in his most recent start was a bit too much for him, so cutting back to 1 1/4 miles in the Arlington Million should suit him well.
“He’s been running against tough horses,” Day Phillips said. “He’s competitive at this level. He finished second by a head to Better Talk Now last year before the [John Deere] Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).”
Robby Albarado will ride Jambalaya for the first time, but Day Phillips said the horse is extremely adaptable and takes things in stride.
“He’s very rideable and ratable,” Day Phillips said. “Robby can put him anywhere in the race, so we’re not concerned about pace or post position.”
There are concerns, however, over the possibility of soft turf if the rains of the past several days continue. Jambalaya’s only bad races came on soft or yielding turf in the Pattison Canadian International Stakes (Can-G1) the past two years, in which he finished ninth and seventh, respectively.
“Soft turf and 1 1⁄2 miles is bad combination for him,” she said with a laugh.
With a stable of 30 horses, the husband and wife team are grateful to have a horse like Jambalaya, who is remarkably consistent at the top level.
“He’s everybody’s dream,” Day Phillips said. “He’s taken us wonderful places. We were invited to the Melbourne Cup (Aus-G1), and while two miles is too long for him, it’s such an honor to have been invited. To just be here, at the Arlington Million, is a great feeling.”
K. T. Donovan is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer
