Parbhoo's Off The Jak Skips Over GP Slop

Just hours before going to the Eclipse Awards with a finalist in the Male Sprinter category in Trinniberg, trainer Shivananda Parbhoo saddled Off the Jak to victory in the $150,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Sprint by three-quarters of a length over Bahamian Squall. It was another half length to Little Drama in third.

When it was suggested that he was king of the sprinters, Parbhoo laughed and said, "It's something with sprinters."

Owned by Sherry Parbhoo, Off the Jak covered the six furlongs in 1:10.27 over a sloppy track. A 5-year-old son of With Distinction ridden by Jose Alvarez, Off the Jak has now won four of 18 starts. He entered the Sprint off second-place finishes in the Mr. Prospector (G3) Dec. 29 and the Claiming Crown Rapid Transit Dec. 1.

"He's getting better and better. He's a nice horse," Parbhoo said. "He's more relaxed every time he comes out. Coming to the race today the groom actually had to pull him to come over. But when he goes to the gate he's a totally different horse."

Off the Jak broke well under Alvarez and stalked the leader Star Harbour behind a half in :45.32. Entering the stretch Off the Jak pulled away and had plenty to hold off Bahamian Squall.

"My horse ran great today, felt very good," Alvarez said. "He loves this track. When I came to the three-eighths I knew I had a lot of horse left. I was very confident."

Said Parbhoo; "He likes fast tracks. We train out of Calder. Some horses fit the track. He just loves a fast track. He has no issues and hopefully we'll find another spot for him. He had a very good trip. I told Alvarez, 'Just don't go on the rail.' Those were the only instructions I gave to him."