Long shot Jack’s in the Deck strides to victory under Joe Bravo at Futurity Stakes
14/1 long shot, Jack’s in the Deck, surprised all by bringing home the $150,000 Futurity Stakes at Belmont Park on 3rd July, 2011, despite being the only maiden in the field that day.
Ridden by jockey, Joe Bravo, the bay colt entered the stretch and gained pace as he galloped towards a four length victory in 1 minute and 13.36 seconds.
Jack’s in the Deck faced a field of six two-year-olds in the six-furlong race where he gave ample competition to Team Six under John Velazquez who set the pace and then led twice again for fractions. Getupwiththesun tried to overcome Team Six as well.
At the quarter pole, 8/5 favourite, Tarpy’s Goal, ridden by Javier Castellano managed to challenge the two leaders, but by the eighth pole he had faded into the background.
Meanwhile Jack’s in the Deck took hold of the lead and at the final turn, Tarpy’s Goal quickened pace and gave a tough time to Team Six. Jack’s in the Deck strode towards the rail side and steered clear of Team Six towards the end.
Team Six, son of Lion Heart, finished second while Tarpy’s Goal came in third place.
Large Kaufy and Getupwiththesun finished fourth and fifth, respectively, while Threeanddonedan closed the field.
This was trainer, Robin Graham’s, first start of the Belmont meet.
An excited Graham said, “That was great. He’s been getting better as he’s trained, and we all felt like going longer would be better for him. It worked out perfect. [There was] a lot of speed in there”.
According to Graham the initial idea was to race Jack’s in the Deck at Delaware Park but she could not find a proper maiden for him there and therefore decided to race him at Belmont Park.
She further said that Jack’s in the Deck likes chasing horses which is why he was in great form in the final stretch.
Jockey, Joe Bravo, who was riding the horse for the first time said, “I really didn’t know what to expect…The minute the race started he showed me that he had these horses today”.
He predicted a good future career for the Love of Money colt who he declared to show some good talent at his maiden.
He entered the race fresh off a place position finish at the Delaware Park where he ran a 4 ½ furlong race on 25th May.
Trainer, Mark Shuman’s, Team Six had also won his maiden at Monmouth Park a few weeks back on 18th June.
Jack’s in the Deck, who was bred by Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Bowman, runs for Skeetdattle Stable.
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