Jack Christopher will cut back in distance, possible for Jerkens
Jack Christopher was handed his first career loss when running a game third in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Saturday, but trainer Chad Brown was nevertheless proud of the talented colt’s effort when stretching out to two turns for the first time.
Owned by Jim Bakke, Gerald Isbister, Coolmore Stud and Peter Brant, the chestnut son of Munnings showed his usual prominent tactics off the flank of pacesetting long shot Benevengo. Jack Christopher assumed command around the far turn but was unable to fend off rallies from the victorious Cyberknife and runner-up Taiba, finishing third beaten two lengths.
Brown said he plans to cut Jack Christopher back to one turn for a possible start in the seven-furlong $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) on Aug. 27.
“The horse ran really well and I thought he had a good trip,” Brown said. “He got a little quick on the final turn when they moved from (the half-mile in) 46 into (three-quarters in) 1:09. That probably emptied him a little bit. But all in all, it looked like it was a little too far. I was a little disappointed that he couldn’t kick on through the lane, but he tried hard. We just shipped him up to Saratoga. As long as he comes out of the race OK, I’ll cut him back and point to a race like the Allen Jerkens.”
But not all was lost for Brown at Monmouth Park, having saddled four stakes winners at the Jersey Shore oval on Saturday: Adhamo (United Nations, G1), Search Results (Molly Pitcherm G3), Highly Motivated (Monmouth Cup, G3) and Lemista (Matchmaker, G3).
“I was proud of all the horses and my team to have them all ready on a big day like that,” Brown said. “There’s a lot of moving parts to get it done, and they did fabulous. I’m proud of them all.”
Adhamo notched his first stateside victory in the United Nations after a trio of graded stakes placings, including a second to stablemate Tribhuvan in the Manhattan (G1) at Belmont.
Brown said the Irish-bred son of Intello could target the $750,000 Sword Dancer Invitational (G1) on Aug. 27 at the Spa.
“He got the trip we were looking for, and he’s been a work in progress. He looks to be continually improving and he finished off his race well on Saturday,” Brown said. “He shipped up here today, so we’ll see how he bounces out of it, but surely, I would like to point to that."
Brown didn’t give any set plans for his three other stakes heroes, but did say Search Results could be “possible” for the $600,000 Personal Ensign (G1) on Aug. 27.
Brown worked a handful of stakes-caliber horses over the Oklahoma training turf course Sunday morning. Among the slew of workers was Regal Glory, who went five furlongs in 1:02.12 in company with graded stakes winner Virginia Joy.
Regal Glory, by Animal Kingdom, captured the Just a Game (G1) on June 11 at Belmont Park last out and continues to target the $500,000 Fourstardave (G1) on Aug. 13 against males.
“More of the same, a little maintenance work. She continues to train on towards the Fourstardave the right way,” Brown said of his three-time Grade 1-wnning mare. “She has continually improved every year. She’s six now and we’ve had her since she was a baby and she has a lot of natural ability. She continues to improve year to year and she’s in the best form of her life right now.”