Jack Christopher Ready for 2-Turn Test in Haskell
By: Stuart deVoe, ThoroFan Handicapper
There are some familiar faces, both human and equine, from the aforementioned Triple Crown as well as a formidable “new shooter” to the top echelon of the sophomore class.
You may have heard of Bob Baffert who has won this event NINE times with horses like American Pharoah and Authentic. He brings in Taiba, a very impressive Santa Anita Derby winner who may have been rushed into the Derby.
Brad Cox who won this race last year with Mandaloun shows up with Cyberknife. He won the Arkansas Derby and may be coming into his own.
Chad Brown, a 2018 Haskell winner (Good Magic), shows up with the exciting Jack Christopher. Some thought he could be any kind before an injury knocked him out of the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile and hence the Triple Crown trail.
He came back with two scintillating victories in Grade 1s albeit around one turn.
Finally, the other major player in here is White Abarrio who took down Gulfstream’s Holy Bull and Florida Derby. Can he win up north?
Let’s get to it!
1. Cyberknife (6-1 F. Geroux/B. Cox) Brad Cox is a trainer that has the ability to build on a horse’s talent. Cyberknife has gotten progressively faster since the spring. He took down the G3 Matt Winn in his last start just nosing out Howling Time. I like the effort, sort of. He was a bit keen flanking that rival until the top of the stretch where he looked like he would blow by him. But, he didn’t. They did beat 3rd by 6 lengths which is usually a good sign. Is he ready to take on the big boys? Perhaps…LONGSHOT CHANCE.
2. Taiba (7-5 M. Smith/B. Baffert) This Gun Runner colt brought $1.7million at a 2yo sale and quickly hinted that the lofty price tag may have been worth it with 2 triple digit Beyers to commence his career. The latter was in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby where he ran away from the highly touted Messier. That effort made him 2nd choice in the Derby but that was a bit much for his third lifetime start. Now, after regrouping, he is back, along with his silver haired wizard trainer. My guess is that they both want to make a splash in their return to the big stage. WIN CONTENDER.
3. One Time Willard (30-1 P. Lopez/ J. Stephens) No disrespect to he or his connections but he is purely filler in this race. TOSS
4. Howling Time (10-1 J. Talamo/D. Romans) He seems like a useful horse. I wouldn’t mind owning him. He lost a heartbreaker to Cyberknife in his last at CD. I don’t think he is up to this kind of task as the waters are much deeper here. TOSS.
5. King of Hollywood (30-1 N. Juarez/G. Sacco) A two time winner with 13 starts. Those wins were in a 30k maiden claimer at Turfway and an “a other than” at this track. Speaking of deep waters…TOSS.
6. White Abarrio (5-1 J.Rosario/S. Joseph Jr.) This grey by Race Day sports 4 wins in 7 starts including the G3 Holy Bull and G1 Florida Derby. If you put a line through his Kentucky Derby where he didn’t run, he may not look half bad. That said, he has something to prove. The Florida road to the Derby didn’t look that strong (Charge It may make me look like a fool) this year and he came back with a respectable 2nd to Tawny Port in the G3 Ohio Derby. He was close to a fast pace and stayed on. A win here would be a minor surprise but not out of left field. LONGSHOT CHANCE.
7. Jack Christopher (3-2 J. Ortiz/C. Brown) This is a SERIOUS horse. He is smart. He is fast. He just may be the best of the crop. The big question is can he get the distance? Yes he can. If you watch him run, he waits for the rider’s cue and then takes off. Once the jock stops riding, he throws up his ears as if to say, “that’s it!?”. Beat him to win. WIN CONTENDER.
8. Benevengo (20-1 A. Rodriguez/J. Cruz) Three wins in four starts. He’s won going a route of ground over this strip. So far so good. But beating up on Monmouth allowance foes is a different kettle of fish than the G1 Haskell facing the “Baffert/Brown Brigade”. Did someone say filler? TOSS.
Summary:
The top two choices tower over the rest of the field.
Both Taiba and Jack Christopher look like the real deal. They have run fast and done so authoritatively.
White Abarrio also has a G1 to his credit but did so in a more workmanlike fashion against a suspect bunch.
The rest of the field would need some help from the Racing Gods to make the exacta.
As handicappers, we must “crack some eggs” or make decisions on where to put our money down.
I have a ton of respect for Taiba. He could win for sure. He must overcome his Derby debacle, shipping across country and a 10-week layoff.
On the other hand, Jack Christopher skipped the Derby, is making his 3rd start of a form cycle and took a van ride from Belmont to Monmouth.
The Bet
At even money or better, Jack Christopher is my win bet. I am not a fan of trying to create an exacta in trying to beat my clear 2nd choice (Taiba). I just don’t do it well. At short odds, my dollars must count.
$100 to win Jack Christopher (at even money or better) If he is under even money…no wager.
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