Jackie’s Warrior, with Joel Rosario in the irons, posted his third win in as many attempts on Sept. 7 at Saratoga, taking the Hopeful Stakes by 2 ¼ lengths. (Chelsea Durand/NYRA Photo)
The 2-year-old Maclean's Music colt set fractions of :22.56 and :44.83 through a half-mile and began to open up in the stretch. Jockey Joel Rosario took a few glances under his shoulder late in the stretch but found himself clear of the competition. He won by a geared-down 2 ¼ lengths, setting a record time in the Runhappy Hopeful for seven furlongs.
Jackie's Warrior, the 1.85-1 second betting choice, finished up in 1:21.29 to give trainer Steve Asmussen back-to-back Runhappy Hopeful wins after taking the race a year ago with Basin. Since the stakes that dates back to 1904 was switched to seven furlongs in 1994, the previous best time had been Came Home's 1:21.94 in 2001.
"He's a very athletic colt who gets over the ground extremely well," said assistant trainer Scott Blasi, who saddled the Jackie's Warrior in Asmussen's absence. "He just continues to improve. He gets stronger in his works and does things so effortlessly."
"I would expect to probably go on to the Champagne Stakes (Oct. 10 at Belmont Park at a one-turn mile) and then hopefully to the Breeders' Cup from there, but it's one race at a time," Blasi said. "We'll see how he comes out of this."