'Crackerjack' Winner of Premio Repubblica

Crackerjack King took command with a furlong left to run and cruised home an easy winner of the Premio Presidente della Repubblica GBI Racing (Ity-I) at Capannelle May 13.

The 4-year-old son of Shamardal remains undefeated in his native Italy; his only loss in eight starts occurred in the Prix du Jockey-Club (Fr-I) at Chantilly last June.

A field of eight older runners went to the post in the Presidente della Repubblica. At the start it was last year’s winner, Estejo, that broke the sharpest and the 8-year-old horse went straight to the front to set the pace. He was tracked closely by Kieren Fallon aboard Afsare, as Fabio Branca was content to settle Crackerjack King toward the rear of the field.

Estejo continued to set the pace through most of the 10-furlong contest. The old warrior began to run out of gas three furlongs out, though, and Fallon was quick to pounce with Afsare. Hot on that pair’s heels was Crackerjack King, and the two runners dueled through two furlongs until Crackerjack King got the better of his rival and began to draw off in the final furlong for the victory.

At the wire it was Crackerjack King by 2 1/2 lengths over Afsare, with Quiza Quiza Quiza another 2 1/2 lengths back in third.

The final time for the 10 furlongs run over a good turf course was unavailable.

Owner Felice Villa, who races his horses under the name Scuderia Effevi, will be transferring Crackerjack King from trainer Stefano Botti to Marco Botti in Newmarket, and will race him in partnership with Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock.

Villa told reporters after the race, “The horse is in thunderous condition; he went really strong. It will be tough for Marco to beat that.”

Crackerjack King was bred in Ireland by Azienda Agricola Allevamento Deni. The grey colt is out of the Barathea mare, Claba Di San Jore, and is a half brother to champions Jakkalberry and Kidnapping.