Pedigree Look: Jackson Bend

Note: Pedigree Look is a new bi-weekly post series that I will be doing. I will be looking at a horse in depth for both the sire and the dam. 

Name: Jackson Bend
Year Born: 2007
Sex: Horse
Color: Chestnut
Sire: Hear No Evil
Dam: Sexy Stockings
Broodmare Sire: Tabasco Cat

Profile: He is a little guy compared to many of the horses that he faces, but he's a fighter. Jackson Bend might not always win the race, but he gives you everything that he has. Just take a look at Jackson's race from this past Saturday. In the Carter he defeated not only BC Dirt Mile winner Caleb's Posse, but the runner up to that race who won the Preakness earlier in the year as well Shackleford.



Why he went off as the longest shot on the board in the race (although 9/2 isn't normally considered a "longshot", but there where only 5 horses in the field after the scratch of Calibrachoa and that 2 of the remaining horses where an entry), is ridiculous. However, he was coming off a 3rd behind Mucho Macho Man who is a very hard horse to beat these days, while Shack was coming off a bad race in the Donn and
Caleb was defeated by Calibrachoa in the Tom Fool. There is a very good chance that the three of them will meet in the Met Mile on Memorial Day.

Jackson Bend's career has been a bit of an up and down one to this point. He began in Florida winning the Florida Stallion Series of stakes races (which where also swept by BC winners Big Drama and Awesome Feather respectively). In his first try in open stakes company, he finished second to Winslow Homer in the Holy Bull. Still, two more solid runner up finishes in the Fountain of Youth and Wood Memorial punched his ticket to Churchill. Although he could only finish twelfth behind Super Saver, he would be closing at the end of the Preakness being beat by just the eventual 3yo Champ Lookin at Lucky and his fellow FL bred First Dude. After hitting a rough point of his career, until 2 wins at Saratoga (the James Marvin and the Forego) last it looked like the light had turn on. In his next race though on a sloppy track at Belmont he ran into the mile loving Uncle Mo. Still he ended the season with a closing third in the BC Sprint which lead to his two starts so far this year.

His sire Hear No Evil is by Carson City (Mr. Prospector). He and Jackson where both homebreds for their owners (although Jackson is co-owned now by Robert LaPenta). His graded stakes adventures weren't as successful, but he did finish second in the G3 Memorial Stakes as a four year old. He's been limited at stud, and by far Jackson is his best foal. However, he does have a G2 placed filly by the name of Evil Queen (3rd in last year's Davona Dale). His dam Nizy (Cox's Ridge) is unraced, but has produced other stakes quality horses. Among them stakes placed Casino Gambler (Northern Afleet) and stakes winner Ladyinareddress (Tactical Advantage) (who has thrown stakes winner Redbud Road (Awesome of Course). Her dam Nizhanee (Pago Pago) is a stakes winner doing all of her running in Louisiana, and several Mid-Western tracks and ran in both the Spinster and Apple Blossom. Her winningest foal is Treasurer (Saratoga Six).

Jackson's dam Sexy Stockings is by BCC winner Tabasco Cat (Storm Cat). Like Hear No Evil and their son, she is a homebred. Her success on the track was not as good as them though as she only won two races, both at Calder. She has 1 other stakes winning horse, Garter Belt (Anasheed). Her dam Lottsa Talc (Talc) is a multiple G2 winner and millionaire running mostly in New York. Three times she won the Iroquois Handicap on New York Bred Showcase day. As a broodmare, she has produced a Florida Stallion Series sweeper herself in Fort Loudon (Awesome of Course). Her dam Antilassa (Anticipating) ran mostly in claimers, but produced 2 stakes winners. The other is 2 time stakes winner Appealing Guy (Proud Appeal).

Since he's still running, it's too early to tell where Jackson ends up standing his stud career. Weather it be in Kentucky or Florida, he will pass along his heart and determination to his foals that he gives in all of his races.

Derby Top 10 for Feb 18

Here it is! This weeks Derby Top 10 and the Top 5 for the Oaks.

10. Dave in Dixie (Dixie Union): The downside is that he's had only three starts, the upside is he finished second in the Lewis finishing in front of American Lion and Tiz Chrome. It will be interesting in what he does in the San Felipe and then the Santa Anita Derby. The winner of the race, Caracortado is undefeated, but I need to see another race from him before he goes on this list. I just have this feeling that Dave will be better in the long run.

9. Jackson Bend (Hear No Evil): Gets a good acid test this weekend against a very nice Fountain of Youth field which includes a few Pletcher trainees and Buddy's Saint. A win, and he moves up a few spots on the list. IMO this is the race where he needs to prove that he's the real deal.

8. Super Saver (Maria's Mon): Has yet to start as a three year old, but apperently will be making his start in the Gotham.

7. Uptowncharlybrown (Limehouse): This is a weird thing to say, but while moves up a place in the top 10, he actually doesn't move because Winslow Homer was my #7 the last time I did the list and he's now off the trail. Got beat in the Sam Davis last Saturday, but on the gallop out did pass Rule and Schoolyard Dreams. Rule is hightailing out of Tampa, not sure about Schoolyard Dreams. Could be the favorite for the Tampa Bay Derby.

6. Blind Luck (Pollard's Vision): Won a nose decision in her last race, the SA Oaks will tell weather she is going to be SA Derby bound. If not, we'll see her on the last day in April.

5. Pleasant Storm (Pleasent Tap): You are probley saying who? He almost upset Dryfly in the Smarty Jones, and will be facing Dublin, Dryfly and Convanynce in the delayed Southwest on Saturday. He might not be the best horse in the field, but he deserves a chance.

4. Ron the Greek (Full Mandate): Was his Lacomte a fluke or is he really the real deal? We will find out on Saturday in the Risen Star.

3. Rule (Roman Ruler): People say that Oaklawn is the way to go when it comes to Derby preps. Tampa may have something to say about that. Sun King, Bluegrass Cat, Any Given Saturday, Street Sense, Musket Man all made starts at Tampa. Rule will try to follow in their footsteps when he makes his first G1 start in either to Florida Derby or the Wood Memorial. Either way he has to learn to rate, otherwise he fold like a cheap suitcase.

2. Lookin at Lucky (Smart Strike): Drops down a spot for now, because he has yet to start. However, nothing on the West Coast has really impressed me that much. Now of course things can change any given day, that's why you run a race.

1. Buddy's Saint (Saint Liam): The first leaderchange of the season. Makes his debut on Saturday in the Fountain of Youth against Jackson Bend, among others. He dodged a bullet when Winslow Homer came out of the Holy Bull with an injury and was forced off the TC trail. He can cement his place as the best in the East with a win. This isn't a gimmee, he's going to have to work for it. We'll see what happens.

Dropped off: American Lion (Tiznow)

On the radar: American Lion, Dryfly (Jump Start), Dublin (Afleet Alex), Schoolyard Dreams (Stephen Got Even)

Need to see another race from: Caracortado (Cat Dreams)

I appologize for not having an Oaks top 5, I'm hoping to have that more then likely for next week after this weekend's Silverbulletday. However I can you who my Top Three are as of right now.

3. Bell's Shoes (Mineshaft): Remember her name, she was third in the Martha Washington her first stakes race. One of dam's half brothers Wildcat Shoes chased Smarty Jones in 04, while another one of the half brothers is G2 placed. Of course that other half brother is one of my favorites Prom Shoes. My guess is that the Honeybee will be next for her.

2. Sassy Image (Broken Vow): This year's Justwhistledixie? She won her first race of the year very impressively. Not sure what's next for her though.

1. Blind Luck (Pollard's Vision): Until someone beats her, she's on top.

On the radar: Christine Daae (Giant's Causeway), Quiet Temper (Quiet American), Bella Medaglia (Medaglia d'Oro), Jody Slew (Slew City Slew)

Weekend preview tomorrow!