Hog Creek Hustle Aims to Add to Success in Jerkens

While the riders opposing Hog Creek Hustle in the $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes Presented by Runhappy (G1) likely won't be able to physically keep an eye on the late runner, they'll try to brace for his stretch surge.

After rallying from 10th early to deliver an 18-1 shocker in the Woody Stephens Stakes (G1)—the first stakes win of his career—Something Special Racing's Hog Creek Hustle doesn't figure to be overlooked this time when he again takes on top 3-year-old sprinters Aug. 24 in the Jerkens at Saratoga Race Course going the same seven-furlong distance.

As the 124-pound highweight, Hog Creek Hustle will pick up five pounds from his previous effort and spot his eight expected rivals two to six pounds. While the added weight and outside post 9 could add to the challenge, trainer Vickie Foley likes how the son of Overanalyze  looks coming into the race.

"(Seven furlongs) is perfect for him, and as long as he came out of the (Woody Stephens) healthy, the (Jerkens) was the plan," Foley said. "We're running a fresh horse, and we're ready to go. He had a dynamite work (:59 3/5 Aug. 16 at Churchill Downs). And the way he did it was even better. You couldn't ask the horse to be doing any better."

While Hog Creek Hustle looks for his second straight grade 1 win, favoritism may fall to an undefeated frontrunner who will start from the rail. Ivan Rodriguez and Albert and Michelle Crawford's Shancelot overwhelmed 11 other runners in the Amsterdam Stakes (G2) July 28 at Saratoga, drawing off to a 12 1/2-length score.

Trained by Jorge Navarro, Shancelot, a son of Shanghai Bobby, has never trailed in his three starts. The Amsterdam effort amazed Navarro.

"I will never see that again," Navarro said. "The last time I saw something like that was Secretariat. I will be lucky if he runs like that again. I knew he was good, but I didn't expect anything that amazing."

Apparently, the big effort did not tax Shancelot, who has worked twice at Monmouth Park following the Amsterdam, breezing four furlongs in :49 2/5 Aug. 11 and six furlongs in 1:11 Aug. 18.

"He's come back and worked good," said Navarro. "It's amazing how he came out of the race. It's always a good sign when they are back in the feed tub the day after the race."

While this will mark the first meeting between Shancelot and Hog Creek Hustle, they have a common last-out opponent in Nitrous, who finished second in both the Woody Stephens and Amsterdam and will start from post 5. Campaigned by Winchell Thoroughbreds and Stonestreet Stables, the two-time stakes winner also placed in last year's Hopeful Stakes (G1).

Like Hog Creek Hustle, Nitrous typically does his best running late. Trainer Steve Asmussen said he'll need a suface that allows him to make such a run Saturday.

"I think he runs solid races here at Saratoga, and seven-eighths of a mile is ideal for him," Asmussen said. "He's a horse that, just like (grade 1 Runhappy Travers Stakes entrant) Laughing Fox, how the racetrack is playing will have a lot to do with (his performance)."

The third-place finisher from the Woody Stephens, Borracho, also is entered. He prepped with an allowance optional claiming victory July 21 at Saratoga, and trainer Rusty Arnold said the son of Uncle Mo  can build on that effort.

"We found out what he wants to do," Arnold said. "He wants to sprint. We tried him long a couple of times, and he didn't like it. We backed him up and sprinted him, and he's run well. He's run well up here. We wanted to run in an allowance race and we skipped the (Amsterdam), which is a good thing with the way (Shancelot) ran. He's had a great month up here. He hasn't missed a day and is doing well. He's going to run his race back."

The only other grade 1 winner in the field is last year's Hopeful victor, Mind Control.

Entries: H. Allen Jerkens S. Presented by Runhappy (G1)

Saratoga Race Course, Saturday, August 24, 2019, Race 7

• Grade I
• 7f
• Dirt
• $500,000
• 3 yo
• 2:59 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Shancelot (KY)	Emisael Jaramillo	122	Jorge Navarro	1/2
2	2Call Paul (PA)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	122	Jason Servis	15/1
3	3Twelfth Labour (KY)	Tyler Gaffalione	118	Dallas Stewart	50/1
4	4Borracho (KY)	Chris Landeros	118	George R. Arnold, II	8/1
5	5Nitrous (KY)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	118	Steven M. Asmussen	10/1
6	6Mind Control (KY)	John R. Velazquez	122	Gregory D. Sacco	15/1
7	7The Big S (KY)	Manuel Franco	118	Raymond Handal	50/1
8	8Rowayton (KY)	Joel Rosario	118	Don Chatlos	6/1
9	9Hog Creek Hustle (KY)	Corey J. Lanerie	124	Vickie L. Foley	8/1