NEWS
Options abound for Monterey Jazz after American win
Posted: Saturday, July 04, 2009 9:07 PM
MONTEREY JAZZ
Benoit & Associates photo
To view the American Handicap, click here.
by Mike Curry
Multiple graded stakes winner Monterey Jazz appears to be back in top form. After his 3¼-length score in the American Handicap (G2) on Sunday at Hollywood Park, the most obvious question is, ‘Where does he go next?’
“We'll keep our options open for Del Mar or possibly the Longacres Mile [Handicap (G3) on August 16] at Emerald Downs," winning trainer Craig Dollase said. The Longacres Mile winner earns a starting spot in the TVG Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) via the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” series.
The versatile five-year-old Thunderello horse has won from five furlongs to 1 1/8 miles with graded stakes wins on turf, dirt, and synthetic tracks. Monterey Jazz solidified his credentials as a contender for the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) with the American Handicap score, completing 1 1/8 miles on firm turf in 1:46.11.
With victories in the 2008 Strub Stakes on the synthetic surface at Santa Anita Park and the ’08 Texas Mile Stakes (G3) on the dirt main track at Lone Star Park, Monterey Jazz looms a serious threat for the Dirt Mile.
Sidelined for seven months in 2008 with an injury, Monterey Jazz has pleased Dollase with how far he has come in less than nine months since his return to racing.
"He had a fracture of the hind foot so we gave him plenty of time off,” Dollase said. “It took him a while to get back into form. He had a couple soft turf courses over at Santa Anita, which he does not like. Now we had fast and firm. He's the man now. He's back.”
Monterey Jazz dueled with Storm Military (Arg) through an opening quarter in :24.27 and opened a 2 1/2-length lead after a half-mile in :47.72. Unchallenged with a six-length advantage at the three-eighths pole, Monterey Jazz coasted to victory.
Out of the Dynaformer mare Reefside, Monterey Jazz improved to eight wins in 19 career starts and boosted his earnings to $670,880 for owners A and R Stables and Class Racing Stable.
Runner-up Artiste Royal (Ire) was 1 1/4 lengths clear of 6-to-5 favorite Whatsthescript (Ire), the 2008 American Handicap victor.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
