Jackie's Warrior in a Class of His Own in True North

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Jackie's Warrior in a Class of His Own in True North
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Joe Labozzetta
Jackie's Warrior rolls to a comfortable victory in the True North Stakes at Belmont Park

As the 1-5 favorite against five overmatched rivals in the $300,000 True North Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park June 10, expectations were high for Kirk and Judy Robison's Jackie's Warrior , with an easy win anticipated by most in attendance.

He delivered. After taking a furlong to establish command from his foes, last year's reigning champion male sprinter put on a show, setting an easy opening quarter in :22.83, opening up through a half-mile in :45.52, and coasting to the wire five lengths ahead of runner-up Sound Money . The 4-year-old Maclean's Music   colt sped 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.09, .63 off the track record, even with jockey Joel Rosario never asking him for his best and eased him up in the final 70 yards of the race.


"It took a little time to get him going, but he was just doing his thing after that. He's a special horse," said Rosario. "I just sat and let him do his thing and he's unbelievable. He means everything. So many great memories. He's a special horse. He's very smart and fast and he's on my list as one of the top horses (I've ridden). 

"I looked back and was so far in front and decided to save some for the next one. He's special. You can see I never showed the stick. He did it all on his own." 

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Sound Money, runner-up in the Westchester Stakes (G3) May 7, was seven lengths clear of the graded-placed War Tocsin  in third. Baby Yoda , Mr Phil , and Night Time  rounded out the order of finish.

It was difficult, however, to take much notice of any horse but the winner, who was in a class of his own. He returned $2.50 to win.

"The separation he gets without being asked is beautiful. He's so rhythmic watching him run," said Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, who was surrounded in the winner's circle by family members, including his wife, Julie; one of his sons, Eric, and his parents, Keith and Marilyn.

Asmussen won his second True North and first since Anew in 2006. 

Spendthrift Farm representatives Mark Toothaker and Ned Toffey also joined the Asmussen family in the winner's circle.

"We don't get them like him very often," Toothaker said of Jackie's Warrior's brilliance.

The winner is unbeaten in three starts this year, having won the Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) in his season debut at Oaklawn Park before taking the Churchill Downs Stakes Presented by Ford (G1) on Derby Day at Churchill Downs. He is 11-for-15 overall with earnings of nearly $2.5 million.

Asmussen said the sprinter would campaign at Saratoga Race Course this summer, pointed toward the six-furlong Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) July 30, followed by the seven-furlong Forego Stakes (G1) Aug. 27. The year-end goal before his retirement to stud at Spendthrift Farm is the Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) Nov. 5 at Keeneland.

He ran sixth after setting a hot pace in last year's Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar, after which he underwent knee surgery.

Bred in Kentucky by J & J Stables, Jackie's Warrior is out of the winning A. P. Five Hundred  mare Unicorn Girl, who has produced two winners from three starters. She has an unnamed juvenile colt by 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah   and foaled a filly by multiple leading sire Into Mischief   this year.

Kirk Robison paid $95,000 to purchase Jackie's Warrior at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where he was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency.


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