J C's Pride Pointing to Hopeful

J C’s Pride, who surpassed the five-furlong track record at Saratoga Race Course when he graduated from the maiden ranks nearly two weeks ago, breezed a half-mile over the main track Monday morning in 48.15. Bobby Barbara, who trains the 2-year-old son of Henny Hughes for Joseph Bucci, said he is pointing the colt toward the Grade 1 Three Chimneys Hopeful here on closing day, September 5.

“He worked really well this morning,” Barbara said. “It was just a basic work to keep him going. I told the exercise rider to go :48 or :49. It was easy. He was pricking his ears and having fun out there.”

Following his second-place finish to eventual Sanford winner Overdriven in his debut on July 1, J C’s Pride scored a 3 ¼-length maiden victory while establishing a track record for five furlongs (56.54) on July 27. The previous record was 56.71, set by Fabulous Force on August 18, 1993.

“Since that race, he keeps growing and gaining weight,” Barbara said of J C’s Pride. “He’s starting to be a man, and he’s only two years old. He’s becoming tougher to handle. He’s becoming a tough horse.”