Jim Bakke, Gerald Isbister, Coolmore Stud, and Peter Brant's Jack Christopher was handed his first career loss when running a game third in the TVG.com Haskell Invitational (G1) at Monmouth Park on Saturday, but trainer Chad Brown was nevertheless proud of the talented colt's effort when stretching out to two turns for the first time.
The chestnut son of Munnings showed his usual prominent tactics off the flank of pacesetting longshot Benevengo. Jack Christopher assumed command around the far turn but was unable to fend off rallies from the victorious Cyberknife and runner-up Taiba, finishing third beaten two lengths in the 1 1/8-mile race.
Brown said he plans on cutting Jack Christopher back to one turn for a possible start in the seven-furlong $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) on August 27.
“The horse ran really well and I thought he had a good trip,” Brown said. “He got a little quick on the final turn when they moved from [the half-mile in] :46 into [three-quarters in] 1:09. That probably emptied him a little bit. But all in all, it looked like it was a little too far. I was a little disappointed that he couldn't kick on through the lane, but he tried hard. We just shipped him up to Saratoga. As long as he comes out of the race okay, I'll cut him back and point to a race like the Allen Jerkens.”
But not all was lost for Brown at Monmouth Park, having saddled four stakes winners at the Jersey Shore oval on Saturday, including Adhamo [Grade 1 United Nations], Search Results [Grade 3 Molly Pitcher], Highly Motivated [Grade 3 Monmouth Cup] and Lemista [Grade 3 Matchmaker].
“I was proud of all the horses and my team to have them all ready on a big day like that,” Brown said. “There's a lot of moving parts to get it done and they did fabulous. I'm proud of them all.”
Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb and Louis Lazzinnaro's Adhamo notched his first stateside victory in the United Nations following a trio of graded stakes placings, including a second to stablemate Tribhuvan in the Manhattan (G1) at Belmont.
Brown said the Irish-bred son of Intello could target the $750,000 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Invitational (G1) on August 27 at the Spa.
“He got the trip we were looking for and he's been a work in progress. He looks to be continually improving and he finished off his race well on Saturday,” Brown said. “He shipped up here today, so we'll see how he bounces out of it, but surely, I would like to point to that.”
Brown didn't give any set plans for his three other stakes heroes, but did say Search Results could be “possible” for the $600,000 Personal Ensign (G1) on August 27.
The post Haskell Third Jack Christopher To Cut Back In Distance, Possible For H. Allen Jerkens Next Month appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
