Owner Chuck Zacney said Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner Jaywalk is expected to rejoin trainer John Servis’ barn in mid-December and will point for her 3-year-old debut in either early February or March at Gulfstream Park.
Zacney, who races under the Cash is King banner and owns Jaywalk along with Leonard Green’s D.J. Stable, said the current plan is to use the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland as the daughter of Cross Traffic ‘s final prep for the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).
“Right after the Breeders’ Cup, we gave her a little break and then sent her to Hidden Brook (Florida) in Florida for 30 days. John should get her back around Dec. 15,” Zacney said.
Jaywalk was prepared for her racing career at Hidden Brook Florida Breaking Traininglast spring.
Depending on Jaywalk’s progress in the next few months, the possible starting points at Gulfstream for her 3-year-old season are either the $150,000 Forward Gal Stakes (G3) at seven furlongs Feb. 2 or the $200,000 Davona Dale Stakes (G2) at a mile March 2.
Zacney said the plan is to follow a campaign similar to the one he and Servis mapped out for Cathryn Sophia’s victory in the 2016 Kentucky Oaks. Cathryn Sophia won both the Forward Gal and the Davona Dale, then finished third in the Ashland prior to her 2 3/4-length triumph in the Oaks.
Before Jaywalk returns to the races, her connections will find out whether her juvenile season was good enough to be honored with the Eclipse Award as the best 2-year-old filly of 2018. Jaywalk, who won the Frizette Stakes (G1) prior to her 5 1/2-length win Nov. 2 at the Breeders’ Cup, and undefeated Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) winner Newspaperofrecord are the frontrunners for the award.
Jaywalk’s final time of 1:43.62 for the 1 1/16-mile Juvenile Fillies was even faster than the 1:43.67 Game Winner needed to beat males two races later at Churchill Downs in the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).
“She’s been a pleasant surprise,” Zacney said. “We’re definitely in the top two for the Eclipse Awards, and I’m hoping her two grade 1 wins give her an edge.”
– edited from www.bloodhorse.com, Coady photo
