Contender Status
Bob Black Jack, who set six and seven furlong track records over the Cushion Track at Santa Anita Park, is increasingly showing his ability at longer distances, finishing third to Georgie Boy in the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe Stakes (G2) and second to Colonel John in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
Currently his connections are on the fence about going on to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), and plan on letting the colt tell them if he is ready for the challenge.
The Santa Anita Derby performance increased Bob Black Jack's graded stakes earnings to $180,000, pacing him 21st on the April 24 earnings list that determines starting preference in the Kentucky Derby if more than 20 are entered.
The withdrawal of Proud Spell and Behindatthebar assured Bob Black Jack of a spot in the starting gate on May 3.
The colt, who owns a North American record for six furlongs, will be equipped with blinkers for the first time in the Kentucky Derby.
""He's got probably the most natural speed in the race, but he's not rank," explained jockey Richard Migliore. "I thought we should try [the blinkers] as long as they don't make him rank, and they haven't [during training]. They just get a little more focus out of him."
April 28 - Four furlongs breezing in :48.60 at Churchill Downs, track fast. 15th best of 44 workouts at the distance.
"I was going to work him five-eighths, but it just seemed safer to go four," trainer James Kasparoff said after the April 28 workout. "We're only five days out from the race and he just went a mile and one eighth [Santa Anita Derby (G1)] and put in a good work [on April 21] out at Santa Anita last week. I decided I didn't want to be too aggressive with him. This will be fine."
April 21 - Six furlongs handily in 1:10.80 at Santa Anita Park, all-weather track fast. Second best of 19 workouts at the distance.
April 14 - Four furlongs handily in :48.00 at Santa Anita Park, all-weather track fast. Eighth best of 38 workouts at the distance.
"He worked good with the blinkers on," jockey David Flores said. "They're little cheaters, not much, but I think they helped the horse focus. He went straight when he went by the other horse [Itsnotjustagame]. Normally, whe
Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) on May 3 at Churchill Downs
Jockey Richard Migliore, after finishing second to Colonel John in the Santa Anita Derby (G1):
"I'm very, very proud of this horse. I really couldn't be happier with his performance. I just feel gutted because it's tough to lose like that. The horse ran as game as a horse can run."