'Jasper' Gives Farish Milestone at Keeneland

Co-owner William S. Farish of Lane's End enjoyed a particularly memorable win Oct. 8 at Keeneland when Irish Jasper rallied up the rail to deny favorite Stonetastic victory in the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (gr. II). 

With Irish Jasper's 1 3/4-length triumph, the prominent Kentucky owner and breeder, who campaigns the First Defence   filly with David Mackie, earned the Lexington track's rare gold bowl following 24 graded wins at the Lexington track. He is only the second owner to attain the coveted gold bowl. The Hancock family's Claiborne Farm received the bowl in 2003 with Yell's triumph in the Raven Run (gr. III).

Stonetastic, the 11-10 favorite, set the pace in the six-furlong event as Irish Jasper waited off the pace before a strong rail run with Julien Leparoux. She edged clear in the late stages, denying Stonetastic while covering six furlongs in 1:09.64 on a fast track. Bendable was third and I'm a Looker fourth in the field of eight fillies and mares.

Irish Jasper raced in fifth early, as Stonetastic sprinted to lead early with Paco Lopez, posting fractions of :22.84 for the opening quarter and :45.02 for a half mile with Bendable chasing from second. Stonetastic held her command with a furlong to run but Leparoux pushed Irish Jasper up the inside to snatch victory, her eighth from 15 career starts. 

Irish Jasper paid $8, $3.40,a nd $2.50, Stonetastic returned $2.80 and $2.20, and Bendable paid $2.80 to show.

Chad Brown trains Irish Jasper, who posted her third graded stakes, and fifth stakes win overall, win following 2015 scores in the Victory Ride (gr. III) at Belmont Park and Adena Springs Miss Preakness Stakes (gr. III) at Pimlico Race Course. With Saturday's win she earned an automatic berth into the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (gr. I) Nov. 5 at Santa Anita Park via the Breeders' Cup Challenge seris.

Bred in Kentucky by Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Courtney Sr., Irish Jasper is out of the Mr. Greeley mare Irish Connection.

The Keeneland milestone award program, launched in 1952, starts with a gold julep cup for each of eight graded stakes wins, then a  gold tray is presented. For every eight graded stakes wins that follow, Keeneland awards another milestone trophy. After the gold tray, the program awards a gold pitcher, then a gold bowl. A vase, a new milestone unveiled this year, follows the bowl.