In a display of dominance and perfection, Jack Christopher kept his record untarnished Saturday and won his first race at the highest level in capturing the $400,000 Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) by 10 widening lengths at Belmont Park.
Campaigned by Jim Bakke, Gerry Isbister, Coolmore Stud, and Peter Brant's White Birch Farm, Jack Christopher tallied his fourth victory from as many starts while providing trainer Chad Brown and jockey Jose Ortiz a second Grade 1 win on the Belmont Stakes Day card following their win with Regal Glory in the Just a Game Stakes (G1) two races earlier.
Jack Christopher was hustled to the front from the gate and settled just off Provocateur, who took charge and laid down fractions of :22.61 and :45.38 for a half mile while leading by a half length. He snatched command at the quarter pole and drew off under a hand ride in the final sixteenth for the facile win.
Pappacap, racing in third early, came on to take second, outfinishing Provocateur by 1 ¾ lengths.
A Munnings colt, Jack Christopher covered seven furlongs for 3-year-olds in 1:21.18, notching his first Grade 1 victory.
“I felt really good as he was coming down the lane,” Brown said. “When Jose slipped to the outside of the other speed horse –and that was the only thing I was worried about–was Provocateur potentially hounding us the whole way and maybe softening us up from a tricky post, but once Jose was able to extract himself and get this horse out in the clear, I didn't see any way the horse could lose.
“This horse is an exceptional talent. This is my 15th year of training and I've never had a dirt horse with this much pure brilliance. He reminds me a lot of [2004 Horse of the Year] Ghostzapper when I worked for Bobby Frankel. He's a brilliant horse that can probably run any distance.
“What a relief to get a clean trip. There was plenty in the tank there. It gives me a relief. The race didn't look like it was that grueling and hopefully he'll come out of it fine.”
Ortiz said Jack Christopher got a “very nice and easy” trip.
“When I took a peek back, I was ready to let him go and did a little bit. He was very impressive today. We got a fast track.
“This is why we work hard and wake up every day. We dream about these kinds of races and he's a very nice horse. Hopefully, he stays healthy and we keep doing it.
“I don't know if he would've held the distance [in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby]. If he would've won the Breeders' Cup and won preps then maybe, but that's horse racing.
“He's pointing to the Haskell [G1, July 23 at Monmouth Park]. We'll see what happens after today. We'll see how he came out of today and see going forward.”
Jack Christopher returned $2.70. The $220,000 winner's share of the Woody Stephens purse increased his lifetime bankroll to $841,400.
Bred by Castleton Lyons and Kilboy Estate, Jack Christopher is out of the Hal Ours mare Rushin No Blushin.
Liz Crow, who bought Jack Christopher for $135,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Yearling Sale in 2020, said: “[Munnings is] a sire I've always loved and had a lot of luck with. We've had quite a few nice Munnings. I saw the horse at the October Sale and I saw him at the Fasig-Tipton September Showcase Sale [2020]. He RNA'ed [for $145,000] in the first spot but I really liked him and bid on him.
“When I saw him again in October, he was a bigger and stronger version of what I saw in September, so I was pretty firm on wanting to get him bought. It was funny because [co-owner] Jim Bakke wanted a filly and not a colt. I called Brad Weisbord, who manages him on a day-to-day basis, and said, 'Please can we buy this horse? I love him.' He said, 'Okay, go to $125,000.' We went to $135,000 and asked for forgiveness instead of permission and Jim said, 'No problem.' ”
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