NEWS
Bob Black Jack deals an ace in Malibu
Posted: Friday, December 26, 2008 7:40 PM
BOB BLACK JACK
Benoit & Associates photo
by Mike Curry
Bob Black Jack was left alone on the lead in the Malibu Stakes (G1) on Friday at Santa Anita Park, and the record-setting Stormy Jack colt made six opponents pay for that mistake.
After opening a clear early lead in the seven-furlong race for three-year-olds, Bob Black Jack accelerated gamely after switching leads in the stretch under David Flores. He had plenty of stamina in reserve and turned back Grade 1 winner Into Mischief to prevail by 2 1/4 lengths at 5-to-1 odds and nail down his first graded stakes win.
“This is the biggest win of my life, the biggest win of this horse’s life,” said Jim Kasparoff, who trains Bob Black Jack for owners Jeff Harmon and Tim Kasparoff.
“Today, it seemed like he really had it all his own way the whole time. When challenged, it was nice to see him respond. It looked like Into Mischief was going to get him, but he was pretty full of run late in the race.”
Bob Black Jack set a track and North American record for six furlongs when he won the Sunshine Millions Dash Stakes on January 26 at Santa Anita in 1:06.53.
Bob Black Jack subsequently finished third in the San Felipe Stakes (G2), which was won by Georgie Boy, and second to Colonel John in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) to earn consideration for the Triple Crown races. After finishing 16th in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) on May 3, Bob Black Jack was given a break. He returned from a 6 1/2-month layoff on November 22 with a fifth-place finish in the Vernon O. Underwood Stakes (G3) at Hollywood Park.
In his second start after the break, Bob Black Jack turned the tables on both Georgie Boy and Colonel John with a dominant performance in the Malibu.
“He needed his last race, no doubt about it,” Flores said. “I knew nobody else had the speed this horse does, and I was hoping we could control the race and we did. He cleared right away and threw his ears up. Nobody else seemed like they were in a hurry, and he was doing it so easily.”
He flashed his speed immediately in the Malibu, seizing a one-length lead through an opening quarter in :22.45 and a 1 1/2-length advantage through a half-mile in :44.95. Georgie Boy and Guns On the Table rallied on the turn, but could not keep pace with Bob Black Jack.
Runner-up Into Mischief swept four-wide into the stretch with a visually impressive burst of speed and steadily closed in on the leader, but Bob Black Jack responded to Flores's urging and easily repelled the bid.
Bob Black Jack completed seven furlongs in 1:20.20 on the synthetic Pro-Ride surface to improve to four wins in ten starts and boosted his earnings to $594,925. He is out of the winning Native Prospector mare Molly’s Prospector.
Making his final career start, Into Mischief finished 1 1/2 lengths clear of Grade 1 winner Georgie Boy. Travers Stakes (G1) winner Colonel John finished another nose back in fourth.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
