Jim Bakke, Gerald Isbister, Coolmore Stud, and Peter Brant's Jack Christopher tracked the pace from second early, then moved to the lead nearing the stretch and captured his third win at the elite level in the $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1) Saturday at Saratoga.
The 3-year-old Munnings colt suffered his first loss last time out when third in the 1 1/8-mile Haskell Invitational (G1) on July 23 at Monmouth Park but returned with aplomb Saturday when cutting back to seven furlongs.
Ridden by Jose Ortiz, Jack Christopher won by 1 1/4 lengths and finished the distance in 1:21.15 on a fast track.
Gunite, off the pace early, went five wide in early stretch and was up for second; Runninsonofagun, off at 41-1 odds, was third, 2 3/4 lengths back. Conagher faded to fourth in the field of eight.
Jack Christopher rated in second behind Conagher through the early stages as that rival set quick fractions of :22.18 for the first quarter and : 44.53 for a half mile. He willingly responded when called on by Ortiz, took charge nearing the quarter pole, and sprinted clear through the stretch.
Jack Christopher returned $3.10 as the favorite.
After closing last year with a win in the Champagne (G1) at Belmont, Jack Christopher began the year with a 3 3/4-length victory in the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile on the May 7 Kentucky Derby undercard at Churchill Downs before delivering his best performance yet in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens on June 11 at Belmont Park. The Haskell was his first loss, but he was back to his best Saturday. He has lifetime earnings of $1,216,400.
Bred in Kentucky by Castleton Lyons & Kilboy Estate, Jack Christopher is out of the Half Ours mare Rushin no Blushin.
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