Jack's in the Deck surprises in Futurity

by Kellie Reilly

As the only maiden in Sunday's Grade 2, $150,000 Futurity at Belmont Park, Skeedattle Stable's

Jack's in the Deck was dispatched as the longest shot on the board at 14-1. What initially

appeared an ambitious placement by Maryland-based trainer Robin Graham, however,

turned out to be a clever bit of spotting. Relishing the step up to six

furlongs, Jack's in the Deck stayed on best of all to swamp better-fancied

juveniles Team Six and Tarpy's Goal by four widening

lengths.

A closing second in his only prior start going 4 1/2 furlongs at Delaware

Park, Jack's in the Deck sparked mutuels of $30.20, $10.60 and $6.20. He also

became the first stakes winner sired by Love of Money.

"That was great," Graham enthused. "We've been trying to get him into maiden

races at Delaware Park, because he's Delaware-certified, but the races haven't

filled. He's been getting better as he's trained, and we all felt like going

longer would be better for him. It worked out perfect.

"(There was) a lot of speed in there. I thought at the top of the stretch he

was in good shape. I know he likes running at horses, so that was great."

Team Six sprinted to the early lead, prompted by Getupwiththesun through fractions of :22 4/5 and :47. Jack's in the Deck was drafting

comfortably along the inside, just behind Team Six, and traveling noticeably

well for new rider Joe Bravo. Meanwhile, Tarpy's Goal, the 8-5 favorite, was

steadily advancing into contention on the outside. Farther back were Large Kaufy and the awkwardly-starting Threeanddonedan.

When Tarpy's Goal accosted Team Six leaving the far turn, he was poised to

strike the front and take control of the race. But the favorite instead drifted

out to the center of the track, and left a gaping hole for Jack's in the Deck.

Just beginning to rev up in midstretch, Jack's in the Deck plowed through the

opening between rivals and kept on doggedly to stop the teletimer in 1:13 1/5 on

the fast track.

Team Six nipped Tarpy's Goal by a nose for the runner-up spot, 3 3/4 lengths

ahead of Large Kaufy. Getupwiththesun and Threeanddonedan rounded out the order

under the wire.

"I didn't get too dirty," Bravo said of his winning trip. "I really didn't

know what to expect. The horse showed some talent his first time out, but the

minute the race started he showed me that he had these horses today and he looks

like he's got a good future ahead of him."

Jack's in the Deck, who has bankrolled $99,600 from his 2-1-1-0 line, was

bred by Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Bowman in Maryland. The dark bay colt is out of the

unraced Partner's Hero mare Thracian, herself a half-sister to multiple stakes

winner Spirited Game. Thracian's latest foal is an unnamed

yearling colt by Domestic Dispute. This is the family of multiple stakes victress Banner Hit, the dam of multiple Grade 2-placed stakes scorer

El Gran Papa.