Ocho Ocho Ocho equals Jackpot at Delta Downs

All in to keep his perfect record intact, Ocho Ocho Ocho battled all the way to the wire to win a gritty photo over Mr. Z in the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot. The job wasn’t done there, though, as the son of Street Sense had to withstand both a stewards’ inquiry and a jockey’s objection before cashing in on the $600,000 winner’s share, as well as 10 qualifying points for the 2015 Kentucky Derby.

Ridden by Hall of Fame rider, Mike Smith, Ocho Ocho Ocho stalked the fast early pace from fourth as Prime Engine and Conquest Tsunami dueled on the front end through testing fractions of :22.27 and :45.74. As that pair began to soften, Ocho Ocho Ocho moved up on the inside to make a play for the lead, while Mr. Z, who was also forwardly placed early, made his advance on the outside.

The two favorites in the field of ten exchanged leads on the turn, before Ocho Ocho Ocho cut the corner and set sail down the Delta Downs’ stretch. Mr. Z kept coming though, and with no other horse able to make a serious challenge, it became a two-horse donnybrook to the wire. The pair of well regarded juveniles battled all the way to the Jackpot conclusion, with the far less experienced Ocho Ocho Ocho refusing to lose, and taking first place honors by a nose.

23-1 shot, Far Right, who was detached from the field early, made up a lot of ground to get within shouting distance on the turn, but had to check in tight quarters before the field hit the stretch. His rally lacked any real punch from there, and he finished well behind the top two, but had plenty left to finish third in the strung out finish. Saratoga Heater completed the superfecta.

Far Right’s pilot, Corey Lanerie claimed foul against Ocho Ocho Ocho, to go along with the stewards inquiry, but it was decided the infraction was not enough to change the order of finish.  

Trained by James Cassidy and owned by D P Racing, Ocho Ocho Ocho returned $7.20 for the win as the 5-2 favorite while covering the 1 1/16 mile trip in 1:45.47 over the fast main track. Now unbeaten in three starts, the Kentucky-bred has quickly become a force in the juvenile division.

His career debut came only six weeks ago when he scored a fast and facile maiden victory at Santa Anita going 5 ½ furlongs. He came back three weeks later on Breeders’ Cup weekend to romp home in the off-the-turf Juvenile Turf Sprint. That victory came at 6 ½ furlongs, and was also completed in fast time. Today’s victory, three weeks after his last, was not blazing fast, but Ocho Ocho Ocho proved that he could carry his speed a route of ground while being tested around two turns for the first time. He also displayed the courage to win a prolonged battle to the wire.

Meanwhile, runner-up Mr. Z collected his fourth second place finish in graded stakes racing, while counting only a maiden victory in the win column after seven starts. If he had been able to get his nose in front, it would have meant a rich juvenile sweep for trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who saddled the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner, Take Charge Brandi, to win the Delta Downs Princess Stakes one race earlier on the rich Delta Downs card.

As for the winner, Cassidy said that he expects to bring back Ocho Ocho Ocho back in January for a prep race at Santa Anita and then point him toward the Santa Anita  Derby in April.