NEWS
Record-setting Bob Black Jack relentless in Dash
Posted: Saturday, January 26, 2008 7:11 PM
by Tom Musgrave
Bob Black Jack added to the roll of track record-setting performances in the previous two weeks on Santa Anita Park's Cushion Track surface while winning the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Dash Stakes.
The three-year-old Stormy Jack colt streaked to a 3 1/2-length win, completing six furlongs in 1:06.53 on the all-weather Cushion Track surface. The time bested the previous record of 1:06.67 set by In Summation on January 21 in the Palos Verdes Handicap (G2).
Bob Black Jack's win was the sixth record-setting win in a stakes race on the Cushion Track surface in 15 days. On January 12, Zappa won the 1 1/16-mile San Pasqual Handicap (G2) in a record 1:39.58 and El Gato Malo completed one-mile in a record 1:33.37 while winning the San Rafael Stakes (G3). Indian Blessing set a record in the seven-furlong Santa Ynez Stakes (G3) on January 13, when she completed the distance in 1:19.89. Gayego established the record for 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:13.07 in the San Pedro Stakes on January 20.
Breaking well from the gate, Jeff Harmon's and Tim Kasparoff's Bob Black Jack was angled in by jockey David Flores and dueled with Winsome Charm for the early lead. Bob Black Jack seized command and set a rapid pace through a quarter-mile in :20.92 and a half-mile in :42.46. He was briefly challenged at the eighth pole by Winsome Charm, who pulled within a head of the leader, but shook off that foe in midstretch to notch a clear win.
"I was worried [when Winsome Charm came up on the outside into the stretch]," said winning trainer James Kasparoff, brother of co-owner Tim Kasparoff. "That horse looked like he was going better than us...but my horse showed another gear."
Afleet Ruler rallied from seventh to finish third, two lengths behind Winsome Charm.
Bob Black Jack has won three of five starts and earned $268,925. Bred by Gary Howard, Marlene Howard, and Bruce Dunmore, he is out of the Native Prospector mare Molly's Prospector.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Tom Musgrave is internet content editor of Thoroughbred Times
