Jackson Bend Works Quick Half in Saratoga

• Print

Photo: Coglianese Photos

Jackson Bend
Order This Photo

Robert LaPenta and Fred Brei’s Jackson Bend   continued his preparations for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) with another quick work on the Saratoga training track Oct. 27.

Jackson Bend worked a half-mile in :47 2/5 on a surface rated good. Trained by Nick Zito, the 4-year-old Hear No Evil   colt has first preference in the Dirt Mile and second preference in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I), both of which will be run Nov. 5 at Churchill Downs.

Jackson Bend finished second behind Uncle Mo   in the one-mile Kelso Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park in his last start Oct. 1. He has shown substantial improvement after Zito shifted him to one-turn races; this year’s Dirt Mile is around one turn.

Zito also worked Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) hopeful Ice Box   on the Saratoga training track Oct. 27. Ice Box, owned by LaPenta, worked five furlongs in :59 3/5.

Ice Box, by Pulpit  , wasn’t selected into the 14-horse field for the Nov. 5 Classic but could get into the race should Await the Dawn raced in the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. IT), for which he has first preference.

• Print