The Jerkens Memorial (Grade 1)- $500.000 Purse
SAR- For Three Year Olds
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
August 25, 2018

It’s been an exciting day of racing here at the Spa, and things went pretty well for D J C Racing Stables as the first couple graded events took place. The trainer would score his first career win in the Jerkens Memorial (previously known as the Kings Bishop), thanks to the effort put forth by Fox News. He became more known this year for his ability to run longer, but based on this effort, as well as the Stephens at BEL two races back, I would venture to say we are going to be seeing him at seven furlongs whenever it is possible. I Ortiz was the winning jockey, earning his second win in this race. Back in 2013, he rode Late Coming to victory. In what was nearly a full two length win, the winning time of 1:21.28, is a new record for the stake! Congratulations to them! Let’s take a look!

(1/4 Mile- :22.58)- Breaking out of the gate, both Diplomatic Moon (Gdp Inc) and Crimson Pirate (Chili King Stables) are strong and it looks as though they are going to duke it out with one another down the backstretch. However, Crimson Pirate pulls away from his early challenger as well and opens up by two lengths. Diplomatic Moon drops to second, and starts to have Ribot Tilt (John Henry) and Peculiar Sensation (Mb Stables) pull up to his inside to create a three wide group. Our eventual race winner, Fox News, from D J C Racing Stables sits a length behind this threesome, situating himself right behind Diplomatic Moon. A length behind him are Stainless Metal (John Henry) and Eureka (Mb Stables), and Eureka seems to be in a good spot himself, running right behind Fox News. Delta Ursae Majoris (Blushing Meadows) is next on the rail, and running with these two. Nearby is Commando (Fractious), while Storming Cobra (Mo Mentum Farm) trails the field. He has eight lengths to make up on the leader.

(½ Mile- :45.49)- We hit a half mile while running around the turn, and Crimson Pirate is looking great at this point. He does not appear to be overdoing it, and remains in good form, holding on to a two length lead. They are four wide behind him, with Ribot Tilt and Peculiar Sensation, for the moment, benefitting from the rail and they battle for second. Diplomatic Moon is keeping pace, and now has Fox News pulling up to his outside, and preparing to pass all three of these while setting his sights on Crimson Pirate. Eureka backs off of chasing him, and is now content to run alongside Stainless Metal. Commando is next, another length back. Delta Ursae Majoris has lost a little ground, while Storming Cobra has plenty of storming to do.

(Top Of Stretch, 1.7F To Go)- The next portion of the race belong to Fox News. He handled the turn brilliantly, dismissing Diplomatic Moon easily, and then getting by Ribot Tilt and Peculiar Sensation, who at least made him work for it a little more. I was surprised by how quickly he pulled up alongside Crimson Pirate though, because that one seemed to still be going well. At the top of the stretch, Crimson Pirate was technically still in front, but the Fox News pass was inevitable. Eureka wisely moved back out to the lane he had been in previously, and starting making up a chunk of ground himself. Stainless Metal, who he had been running with, did not have the same push. Delta Ursae Majoris and Commando looked to be coming up empty, and Storming Cobra still trailed by about six lengths.

(Finish- 1:21.28)- In the stretch, Fox News was gone. The pass of Crimson Pirate was simply too easy, and he was in too good of a stride for anyone to catch him. All that was left was to watch him run, and he picks up the win by almost two lengths over second place Eureka. That one did well in the stretch too, but made the mistake of letting Fox News be ahead of him throughout. Peculiar Sensation’s steady race gets him third, while a similar effort from Ribot Tilt gets him fourth. The dead heat for fifth was interesting since it involved our quick pacesetter, Crimson Pirate, and our hard closer, Storming Cobra. Delta Ursae Majoris started showing some interest way too late. Stainless Metal is next, followed by the disappointing Diplomatic Moon, as well as Commando.

About The Winner- Fox News, trained by D J C Racing Stables, and ridden to victory by I Ortiz Jr, is a three year old by Diplomatic Immunity and is out of the late Spilt Milk. He was bred in New York by D J C Racing Stables as a second quarter two year old, and they have been together throughout! Congratulations to the connections! The win is his fourth in 11 starts, his third graded win, and his first Grade 1 win. His career earnings are now $823.360.

Track: Fast
Time: :22²  :45²  1:09   1:21¹

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 5 – 6 Paid 39.10
$1 Trifecta: 5 – 6 – 2 Paid 181.90

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES