In the work also considered to be the final review before the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), ranked 1st Jack is happy conduct class April 30 at Keeneland.
Coach Doug O’Neill says Happy Jack is ready for the May 7 Kentucky Derby after he watched his son Oxbow fly a mile in 1:39 3/5. Rafael Bejarano, who is expected to ride Happy Jack in the Derby, was on board for work on Saturday around 7:30 a.m. ET at Lexington racetrack.
“We just wanted to make sure we were going into this race with the horse on the right track,” said O’Neill. “He has potential, but he hasn’t given the numbers we need to see to be a big player in the race. So we just wanted to make sure we asked him one way. definitely here; that’s the idea, to make sure he’s healthy and ready. To me, he’s answered that question and he’s ready.”
Starting at the finish line, Happy Jack and Bejarano set to work. Coming out from the first turn, Happy Jack flashed a long stride that he maintained for the rest of the move. He completed seven stretches in 1:27 and the last one lasted in: 12 3/5.
A two-time Derby champion coach with I will have another in 2012 and Nyquist in 2016, O’Neill took a page from after preparing for the Derby at Keeneland.
“We’ve had some luck doing this before with Nyquist; we’ve got the final set up here,” O’Neill said Saturday. “It’s very quiet here and the track is safe. It’s got a good cushion, so it’s a little bit demanding, which we think they’ll get a little better exercise in. So yeah, we did. very pleased with it went this morning.”
The one mile move on Saturday was the only official practice session since Happy Jack finished third in the April 9 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita . Park. That effort earned Happy Jack a ticket to the Derby as he was the 20th horse on the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard. O’Neill said Happy Jack had two minutes of licking in Santa Anita about a week before moving Saturday — right before he was transferred to Kentucky.
A crossbreed for Calumet Ranch, Happy Jack earned his debut with six feathers at Santa Anita in January. He then competed in two legs in his next three starts, placing fifth in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3), third in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) and third in the Santa Anita Derby. O’Neill sees the potential for the son of the Preakness Stakes (G1) winner’s son to improve over the longer term.
A year ago O’Neill sent Hot Rod Charlie also the son of Oxbow, earned seats in the Derby and Belmont Bets presented by NYRA Bets (G1).
O’Neill said: “He’s got a bit of Hot Rod Charlie just in that he’s the one to stay. “I didn’t know that ‘Jack’ has that huge foot swing; he’s more into cycling. You get in position with him and keep pedaling and he’ll keep going. That’s the ‘Charlie’ way. .”
That description matches the work on display on Saturday as Happy Jack steadily rises to the surface in one of his long strides. Since Bejarano will be riding Happy Jack for the first time at the Derby, O’Neill likes that he can join the ride on Saturday.
“He’s an active, super successful driver,” O’Neill said of Bejarano, who will start his 12th Derby. “I’m surprised he hasn’t won a Derby yet; so we want to be part of a well-deserved victory for him.”
Calumet, of course, is an eight-time Derby winner and will be looking for his first win since 1968. Happy Jack will be the man to start Saturday’s Derby with Brad Kelley leading the way, a run that begins with first place. Oxbow’s Friday in 2013.
O’Neill is well aware that Happy Jack’s achievements to date have fallen short of most other Derby hopes, but he’s optimistic.
“Jack” has a lot of possibilities,” said O’Neill. “It could just be a case of the light bulb not fully lit yet. Maybe it’ll be next Saturday.”
Also on Saturday in Keeneland, winner of Fantasy Stakes (G3) Yugiri breeed 4 furlongs in: 49 1/5 as the daughter of a Preakness winner Shackleford prepare for the start in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Trained by Rodolphe Brisset, a hybrid of Sekie and Tsunebumi Yoshihara posted the seasons: 12 4/5, 25 2/5 and 37 2/5; with a 1:1 gallop on 4/5.
