Curly Jack Becomes First Winner for Champion Good Magic

Juvenile champion Good Magic   was represented by his first winner June 2 when Michael McLoughlin's Curly Jack sailed to a front-running four-length victory in the second race at Churchill Downs, a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight on the main track.

Curly Jack, bet down as the 4-1 second choice in the field of seven, sprinted to the lead and never looked back as he ticked through splits of :22.33 and :45.62 before drawing away in the lane under steady urging from jockey Colby Hernandez. Trained by Thomas Amoss, the 2-year-old stopped the timer in 1.04.28 on a track rated as fast.

Bred in Kentucky by Betz/J. Betz/Burns/Camaquiki/C. Kidder/et al, Curly Jack was acquired by McLoughlin as a yearling at the Keeneland September Sale for $180,000 when offered by the consignment of Betz Thoroughbreds.

The colt is out of the grade 1-placed Roman Ruler mare Connie and Michael, making him a half sibling to Fannie and Freddie , who placed second in this year's Silverbulletday Stakes behind La Crete  in addition to a runner-up finish in the 2021 Untapable Stakes, both at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Curly Jack was the third 2-year-old starter for Good Magic, who stands at Hill 'n' Dale Farms for a fee of $30,000. Good Magic, a son of Curlin  , notched top-level triumphs in the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), befair.com Haskell Invitational (G1), and Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) and was runner-up in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).