Jackson Bend – will he be able to defend his title in the Forego Stakes at Saratoga?
Trained by Nick Zito, Jackson Bend has had an interesting career with some great victories and with some terrible losses.
Owned by Robert V. LaPenta of Jacks or Better Farm Inc, the horse holds an overall record of 9-6-4 in 27 starts and earnings worth $1,608,450.
Things could still get better for him, but he doesn’t seem to be at the top of his game, since he failed to defend his title in the Grade 3 James Marvin Stakes on 20th July, 2012, at Saratoga, and finished fourth.
The son of Hear No Evil finished as a runner-up in his first two starts in his sophomore campaign, the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes and the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes.
Misfortune hit him when he finished 12th in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, but he soon atoned for that, when he stood third in the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes on 15th May, 2010.
After the Preakness Stakes, things did not seem to go too well for the Florida bred runner, as he failed to secure a placed finish in the four starts that followed, the Grade 3 Pegasus Stakes, the Star of Cozzene, the Grade 3 Ack Ack Stakes, and the
Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap.
As a four-year-old, the runner geared up and delivered some solid performances. He demonstrated that, he had it in him all along and just needed some polishing.
He claimed the seven furlong James Marvin Stakes, maintained his composure in the Grade 1 Forego Stakes at Saratoga, which covered seven furlongs.
He finished as a runner-up in the Grade 2 Kelso Handicap at Belmont Park, which covered the distance of 1 mile.
The older division runner’s performance in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint over six furlongs was commendable as he stood third.
His five-year-old campaign started with a bang, when he secured a magnificent victory in the 1 mile Grade 3 Hal’s Hope Stakes in January, 2012.
On 7th April, 2012, he secured a victory in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct over seven furlongs.
Time and time again, the runner has demonstrated his versatility. He is returning to the Forego Stakes on 1st September, 2012, with the hope of landing the victory for the second time.
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