Practical Joke fits in Grade 1 at One Turn

Spotting his horses properly is no laughing matter for trainer Chad Brown. The reigning Eclipse Award winning trainer and new King of Saratoga is noted for placing his horses in races in which they have a good chance to win. Knowing this, it comes as no surprise to me that Practical Joke is pointing for the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (formerly the King's Bishop) on August 26, rather than the Travers Stakes, the same day. 

I realize this might not be a popular opinion, considering that the Travers is clearly the bigger race, and Practical Joke is a very popular three-year-old. Why shouldn't the consistent, two-time Grade 1 winner go for the gusto? Generally, I am not one to suggest that a good horse should avoid the bigger race, but in this case, I completely agree with the connections of Practical Joke in choosing the seven furlong Grade 1, instead of the Mid-Summer Derby. 

His chances to win at the one-turn trip on Travers Day are exponentially better than they are at the classic distance of a mile and a quarter.

But his many fans will tell me, that he's been right there in several big races around two turns, like the Haskell and the Blue Grass. Even in the Kentucky Derby, his fifth place finish was certainly a good effort. The good looking son of Into Mischief also finished third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and second in the Fountain of Youth. Good performance, one and all. 

There in lies the rub, though. Good performances, yes -- but not winning performances. The Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence owned runner has never been able to break through in a two-turn race. Yes, he has been competitive against good horses, but time and time again, he has a chance at the top of the stretch only to see his ultimate closing punch come up just a little short when going distances that require a second turn. 

On the flip side, that closing punch has proven lethal around one-turn. In fact, while Practical Joke is 0-for-5 around two-turns, the young millionaire has been perfect at one-turn. He's won two sprints at Saratoga, and won two races at a flat mile at Belmont, with one Grade 1 at each. 

The numbers don't lie, folks. While Practical Joke is good enough, and has the heart to be competitive going a route of ground, he is simply better rallying at shorter distances.

Once again, Chad Brown will be spotting his horse well, and Practical Joke will be better for it come Travers Day.