Black Jack Blues Sings a Happy Tune

Black Jack Blues hammered the field in the Grade II Kentucky Breeders Bowl Sprint which was contested at 7 furlongs on the dirt. As I said in the preview this was a very dangerous race for the closer because there was little true speed, and there was a good chance a horse could run and hide. Well Blackswan’s 4 year old son of Came Home out of an Alydar mare made the pace and crushed the field in what could only be described as brisk work. Winning graded races simply should not be this easy. When the gates opened Black Jack Blues shot to the lead with Ray’s Causway following close behind, but it was apparent that she was not handling the track at all and never seemed comfortable. When jockey B Carley looked back at the half mile mark, he realized that he was out front by himself and was doing it easy. When he hit the stretch run out front by five it was essentially over. High Heart and K’s Storm maker both made tremendous runs at the leader but they were much too little too late.

I sat down with the owner of Black jack Blues after the race.

Monte: Wow what a race, did you see this one coming?

Blackswan: Well I knew he was gonna run a big race, but maybe not that big of a race. He has really stepped it up as of late, but he was already a multiple graded stakes winner of $400,000+ I love the way this horse leaves it all on the track. When I saw him out alone at the half mile pole I knew it was over, we had a lot of horse left and they had to far to go to get him.

Monte: So what is next?

Blackswan: Give him some time off. He has nothing left to prove as far as stakes races. We are looking at the big races in the fall as our goal and maybe a best sprinter award this year. He is lightly raced, and has a ton of gas in the tank. I really think we have not seen his best yet. I would love to stay and chat, but there is a horse that is cooling out right now that needs a big pat on the neck. Remember this sport is about the horses.