DELTA DOWNS JACKPOT STAKES | PURSE: $1 MILLION | 2-YEAR-OLDS | GRADE 3 | 1-1/16 MILES
Undefeated Ocho Ocho Ocho, one of several Southern California shippers in the field, outfought Mr. Z through the drive to capture the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot by a nose at Delta Downs Racetrack, Casino, and Hotel Nov. 22.
A stewards' inquiry and jockey objection from Corey Lanerie aboard third-place finisher Far Right against the winner for an incident on the final turn was disallowed. The ruling secured Ocho Ocho Ocho's third victory in as many starts for trainer Jim Cassidy and owner D P Racing.
The 5-2 favorite in the field of 10 2-year-olds, Ocho Ocho Ocho was ridden to victory by Mike Smith in a time of 1:45.47 for the 1-1/16-mile distance over a fast track.
A son of Darley stallion Street Sense out of the winning Horse Chestnut mare Winner, Ocho Ocho Ocho was bred in Kentucky by Siena Farms.
Though breaking from the far outside, Ocho Ocho Ocho was deftly maneuvered to the inside by Smith approaching the first turn while positioned in fourth as Conquest Tsunami fought for the early lead with Prime Engine, with Mr. Z settled in third. Conquest Tsunami posted swift fractions of :22.27 seconds and :45.74 seconds but dropped out quickly as Ocho Ocho Ocho poked his head in front of Prime Engine and Mr. Z after completing six furlongs in 1:12.48.
In the stretch it came down to a two-horse race as Ocho Ocho Ocho, along the inside, inched away to a half-length advantage. But Mr. Z, ridden by Paco Lopez, kept battling all the way to the wire as the determined Ocho Ocho Ocho managed to just outlast his challenger.
It was four lengths back to Far Right, who was advancing at the rail rounding the final turn when forced to check while in tight. Far Right, who trailed the field through the first half-mile, fell back briefly but was gaining again in the lane while finishing behind the first two.
Then came Saratoga Heater, Dekabrist, Wake Up Nick, Red Button, Prime Engine, Golden Actor, and Conquest Tsunami. Scratched from the also-eligible list were Unblunted and Two Six Wins.
Ocho Ocho Ocho began his career Oct. 11 with a one-length win over maiden special weight rivals at Santa Anita Park going 5-1/2 furlongs. In his next start, he was a convincing 5-3/4-length winner in the listed off-the-turf Juvenile Turf Sprint on the Breeders' Cup undercard Nov. 1. Ocho Ocho Ocho was ridden to victory in those races by Joe Talamo.
Carrying 119 pounds, Ocho Ocho Ocho paid $7.20, $4.40, and $3. Mr. Z, the 3-1 second choice who was coming off a fifth-place finish in the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, returned $4.20 and $3.20, completing a $30.20 exacta. Far Right, off at 23-1 odds, paid $9.20 to show.
Lukas was oh-so-close to sweeping the graded stakes at Delta Saturday after his Take Charge Brandi took the preceding race, the $400,000 Delta Princess.
Saturday's victory was worth $600,000 for Ocho Ocho Ocho's connections, and boosts his career earnings to $693,600.
Though it is still more than five months away, Ocho Ocho Ocho earned 10 points toward a possible start in the 2015 Kentucky Derby.
Ocho Ocho Ocho was a $200,000 purchase in April by DP Racing from Grassroots Training & Sales at the Ocala Breeders' Sale Co.'s spring sale of 2-year-olds in training. Grassroots Training & Sales acquired the dark bay colt as a Keeneland September yearling last year for $50,000 out of the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment on behalf of breeder Siena Farms.
Winner, his dam, sold in foal for $700,000 to Royal Oak Farm's agency at the recent Keeneland November breeding stock sale when consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency. She is in foal to Bernardini.