The Richard Dutrow trained Pacific Ocean prevails in the James Marvin Stakes at Saratoga
Jackson Bend was known as 'The little horse that could’ but after he failed to defend his title in the Grade 3, $100,000 James Marvin Stakes at Saratoga, he has become the little horse that couldn’t.
Run over seven furlongs on 20th July, 2012, the race was taken by the Richard Dutrow trained, Pacific Ocean, who finished 1 ¾ lengths ahead of the runner-up, Golddigger's Boy.
The third place secured by Crossbow, who was mounted by Ramon A. Dominguez, while Jackson Bend finished in fourth, under the command of jockey, Rosie Napravnik while Todd Pletcher’s charge, Caixa Eletronica finished fifth.
Paired with rider Joel Rosario, the five-year-old settled in the lead and, completed the opening quarter-mile in 23.19 seconds and half-mile in 46.67 seconds. He was followed by Crossbow in second, while Golddigger's Boy settled in third.
Jackson Bend was held back and, Caixa Eletronica settled in fourth, but never threatened anyone at any point in the race.
The winner crossed the six furlong mark in 1 minute and 10.12 seconds and completed the race in 1 minute and 22.53 seconds.
Reflecting on the race, the winning rider discussed the race strategy and told the press:
"I just tried to relax him as much as I could early and hoped nobody put on any pressure, and that's exactly what happened."
He added that Ramon Dominguez, who was aboard Crossbow seemed threatening but he couldn’t take the lead, the rider added:
“When Pacific Ocean kept the lead, I thought at that moment the game was over."
The trainer was pleased with the way this race turned out as he told the press that:
“Today was different. He had everything going his way. He was sitting on a race. He ran big."
The son of Ghostzapper out of mare Miss Salsa, trained well and toned up for this race compared to his previous performance, when he finished sixth in the Grade 2 True North Stakes at Belmont Park in June, 2012, over the distance of six furlongs.
Referring to this, the trainer commented:
"In his last race, he had a bad post, there was a lot of speed, he was in a bad spot.”
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