The Jerkens Memorial (Grade 1)- $400.000 Purse
SAR- For Three Year Olds
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
August 1, 2020

In The Jerkens Memorial, there were quite a few horses in the field that were cutting back on their distance after running long, so the challenge to bettors would be which one would have the most success at seven furlongs. There seemed to be safer picks than a horse that had won just twice in 14 starts, though Angelsinheaven had run second in the PRK just a few months ago. On Saturday, it would be the autogen having the most success, and he will now be a graded stake winner. The trainer, Angelos Stable, is a first time winner in the race, and that is also true for jockey J J Hernandez. Congratulations to them! The time of the race was 1:21.61, which is right in line with other past times. Let’s take a look!

(¼ Mile- :23.01)- Iron Return, trained by Alydar Stables, is the quickest of the gate and after an initial battle with John Henry’s Notorious Temper, he pulls a length ahead of that rival in the early portion of the race. Notorious Temper holds his lane as Sail Away, from Mb Stables, is within a length to his inside. Sitting just off the lead is our eventual winner, Angelsinheaven, out Angelos Stable. He is within two and a half lengths and is matching strides with Tudor One (Mb Stables) who is directly to his inside. Running to his outside is one of the longshots, Bodemeister, from D J C Racing, but all of them are close to the leader at this point. After a gap of almost two, we have the trailers running side by side, Genghis (Arindel) and Keep It Cool (Mb Stables).

(½ Mile-: 45.94)- Completing the backstretch trip, nothing too dramatic happens, but Notorious Temper, who is the longest shot on the board at 61/1, pulls up right alongside Iron Return, getting those who picked him very excited for a brief moment. Things are a little congested now behind them as Sail Away drops back into the three horses that had been running together, which includes Angelsinheaven. Right now, he was in a good spot in regards to his position to the leaders, but would need something to open up in front of him in order to make a move.

(Top of stretch, 1.7F To Go)- The battle for the lead is still between Iron Return and Notorious Temper at the top of the stretch, but the latter is starting to show signs of tiring. This has him drift out on exit of the turn, allowing for a great gap to present itself for Angelsinheaven, much to the chagrin of Sail Away. Tudor One was hoping that there would be enough room in that gap for him as well. On the outside, Bodemeister was able to stay out of all of that traffic with a clear lane in front of him, and was closing in on the leaders. At this point, his chances were looking quite good. Keep It Cool and Genghis started approaching the pack, but it was going to be hard to find room.

(Finish- 1:21.61)- Bodemeister continued to look strong on the outside. Meanwhile, Notorious Temper continued drifting out in the turn, and there would be enough room for both Angelsinheaven and Tudor One to come through the gap that had been created. However, only Angelsinheaven would be able to take it with authority, splitting the horses and moving by Iron Return with his sights set on outrunning Bodemeister to the wire. He would be able to do this, and certainly did not look like a horse that has struggled to find the winners circle on this day, getting up just in time to pick up the win. Bodemeister may have had the outside trip catch up to him in the stretch, as he was nearly re-caught by Iron Return, but does hold second. After Iron Return, the late running Keep It Cool nipped Notorious Temper for fourth. Tudor One, the disappointing Sail Away, and Genghis round it out.

About The Winner- Angelsinheaven, trained by Angelos Stable, and ridden to victory by J J Hernandez is a three year old autogen gelding created as a yearling by Elkstone Llc. He was acquired by the trainer via a $20.000 claim in September 2019. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his third in 15 starts, his second stake win, and first graded win. His career earnings are now $883.000.

Track: Fast
Time: :23   :45⁴  1:09²  1:21³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 2 – 5 Paid 512.20
$1 Trifecta: 2 – 5 – 4 Paid 1,867.40

Scratched: Night Creature

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES