Mr. Buff Repeats in Jazil Stakes

Chester and Mary Broman's Mr. Buff notched five stakes wins in 2019 and started his 6-year-old campaign in similar fashion, leading throughout to win the $102,925 Jazil Stakes for a second consecutive year Jan. 25 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Eight horses were entered in the Jazil, but three were scratched, including 2019 Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) winner Sir Winston, whose participation had been in question as he dealt with a tender hoof.

Jockey Junior Alvarado sent the New York-bred Mr. Buff to the front, with the opening quarter-mile in :23.53, the half in :47.30, and three-quarters in 1:11.65 on a sloppy (sealed) main track under pressure by Leitone.

Mr. Buff, the 3-5 favorite, maintained the lead out of the final turn as 20-1 Backsideofthemoon made a strong bid up the rail. But the John Kimmel trainee fended off the challenge to his inside and extended his advantage in the stretch, posting a five-length victory and completing 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.82.

The Friend Or Foe  gelding, a 7 1/2-length winner in the Alex M. Robb Stakes for New York-breds last out at the same distance, won for the third time in his past four starts, improving to 13-6-4 in 35 starts and winning for the seventh time in 12 races at Aqueduct. He returned $3.50 for a $2 win wager.

"You're always nervous when you get a track as wet as this one was today, but he's such a class animal," Kimmel said. "I don't think there's any surface he wouldn't try on. He got pressed by the two second choices and put them away to set it up for the horse (Backsideofthemoon) that finished second. It was a pretty significant pace today considering the conditions, but he was up to the task."

Video: Jazil S. (BT)

Alvarado, who was aboard for his wins in last year's Jazil, Saginaw Stakes, Evan Shipman Stakes, Empire Classic Handicap, and Alex M. Robb, has won five of his past six starts aboard Mr. Buff, who is approaching millionaire status with a bankroll of $992,411.

"I thought with (Leitone) on the outside with a little speed, there's no chance for me to sit second. I had to go," Alvarado said. "If I let him go, I probably wouldn't catch him. I didn't think any horse was coming from behind in this race—that's what I told John. They would have to chase me, and the way I got away, I didn't think any horse was coming at the end. That was my strategy, and it worked out. Once again, Mr. Buff made it there."

Backsideofthemoon, trained by Robert Klesaris, edged the late-running Adventist by a nose for runner-up status. Leitone and Stan the Man completed the order of finish.

Mr. Buff is one of four winners from his dam, the Speightstown mare Speightful Affair—one of whom won Saturday at Aqueduct when Daddy Knows (by Scat Daddy) took race 7, a New York-bred allowance, for trainer Linda Rice. The Bromans also bred Daddy Knows and share ownership in him with Grey Fox Stable.