Jack Christopher Makes Successful Pat Day Mile Return
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Photo: Heather Jackson
Jack Christopher wins the Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs
As his connections dreamed he would, Jack Christopher made it to Churchill Downs on the First Saturday in May and was met with success. The victory, however, came not in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), but in the Pat Day Mile Stakes Presented by LG&E and KU (G2) on the undercard.
Too far behind schedule to make the Derby after the colt had shin surgery in late fall, the winning connections still had much to celebrate Saturday. In addition to the race's $500,000 purse, they were elated to see him return with the same excellence he showed in winning a maiden race at Saratoga Race Course and the Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park in two races last year. After pressing the pace of early leader Pappacap in the Pat Day Mile, he pulled away to decisively score by 3 3/4 lengths.
"Awesome horse," co-owner Jim Bakke said.
WATCH: Co-Owners Bakke, Isbister 'Proud' of Jack Christopher
Bakke isn't alone in holding such a high opinion. Last fall, Coolmore Stud and Peter Brant's White Birch Farm joined Bakke and Gerry Isbister in ownership, banking on the colt's success and eventual stallion career.
They own a fast horse. In winning the Pat Day Mile on a fast track, the 3-year-old son of Munnings was clocked covering eight furlongs out of the chute in 1:34.81—more than three-fifths faster than older horse Three Technique 's time of 1:35.48 a race earlier in winning the restricted Knicks Go Overnight Stakes Presented by L&N Federal Credit Union. Heavily favored, Jack Christopher paid $3.40 for a $2 win wager.
"(Running) one mile brought my horse's 'A' game today," said winning rider Jose Ortiz.
Of Jack Christopher's 10 rivals, Ortiz said he was most concerned about the battle-tested Pappacap, fourth in the Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa (G1) in his last start. So he dialed up the heat on the leader after he set fractions of :22.70, :45.61, and 1:09.66.
"So I moved into him and when I got to him at the five-sixteenths (pole) I felt like I had him," Ortiz said.
He did indeed. Jack Christopher forged to a length's advantage by midstretch and extended his lead in the final furlong.
Pappacap lasted for the place by a head over My Prankster , who rallied to show. O Captain was a non-threatening fourth.
"It's a little bittersweet that we did get him to the first Saturday in May, which we had been thinking about since he debuted up at Saratoga, that unbelievable performance," trainer Chad Brown said. "To get him to the first Saturday in May and have him roar down the stretch and get to the winner's circle but not be in the race that's a few races later, will always be in the back of my mind if he could have done it.
"You know, it is what it is and we have a great horse in our hands. I hope he has the long, successful career that he deserves."
Where his next start comes next is to be determined, Brown said, noting that options include a cutback in distance for the seven-furlong Woody Stephens Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun (G1) June 11 on Belmont Stakes Day at Belmont Park or racing in route stakes.
"I'm not gonna make any prediction that he's definitely getting a mile and a quarter," Brown said. "That's a lot to ask. I won't rule that out, but I certainly think he'd go farther than a mile."
(L-R): Jim Bakke and Jerry Isbister lead Jose Ortiz and Jack Christopher to the winner's circle
Brown felt confident that Jack Christopher would handle two turns and 1 1/16 miles last fall in the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) at Del Mar, but the colt never got the chance to start. He was scratched in the lead-up due to his shin.
"We were disappointed the evening before the Breeders' Cup race, but kudos to Chad Brown and the team to bring him back after such a long layoff and race so competitively," Isbister said.
Owners Jim Bakke and Gerry Isbister lead Jack Christopher into winners circle for Pat Day Mile pic.twitter.com/S7pRHKuT9I
— Byron King (@BH_BKing) May 7, 2022
Jack Christopher, purchased for $135,000 in 2020 from Paramount Sales' consignment to The October Sale, Fasig-Tipton's fall yearling sale in Kentucky, elevated his earnings to $621,400 and remained perfect in three starts.
Bred in Kentucky by Castleton Lyons and Kilboy Estate, he is out of the Half Ours mare Rushin No Blushin , a half sister to multiple grade 1 winner and sire Street Boss . Rushin No Blushin's most recent foal is a 2-year-old filly by Mo Town . The mare was bred to Complexity last year.
Jack Christopher soars home beneath the Twin Spires