Jackie's Warrior (foaled February 13, 2018) is a Champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who has won five Grade I events including the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga, the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park in 2020 and the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes at Saratoga (2021). Jackie's Warrior was awarded as Eclipse Award as American Champion Sprint Horse in 2021.[3] In 2022 won the Grade I Churchill Downs Stakes and Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga.

Jackie's Warrior
SireMaclean's Music
GrandsireDistorted Humor
DamUnicorn Girl
DamsireA. P. Five Hundred
SexColt
Foaled13 February 2018[1]
CountryUnited States
ColourBay
BreederJ & J Stables
OwnerJ. Kirk & Judy Robison
TrainerSteven M. Asmussen
Record18: 12-2-2
Earnings$2,959,164[2]
Major wins
Saratoga Special Stakes (2020)
Hopeful Stakes (2020)
Champagne Stakes (2020)
Pat Day Mile Stakes (2021)
Amsterdam Stakes (2021)
H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (2021)
Gallant Bob Stakes (2021)
Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (2022)
Churchill Downs Stakes (2022)
True North Stakes (2022)
Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (2022)
Awards
American Champion Sprint Horse (2021)
Last updated on 10 December 2022

Background

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Jackie's Warrior is a bay colt that was bred in Kentucky by J & J Stables. His sire is Maclean's Music and his dam is Unicorn Girl, a daughter from A. P. Five Hundred, who was a winner of 19 races and an earner of $483,508.[3] Jackie's Warrior was her third foal and first stakes winner.[4] He was bought for $95,000 by J. Kirk Robison out of Taylor Made Sales Agency's consignment at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.[3] Jackie's Warrior was named by her breeders, Jennie and John Williams of J and J Stables in Florida, to honor Jennie's sister, Jackie Ross, a brain cancer survivor in remission.[5] Jackie's Warrior is trained by Steven M. Asmussen and his jockey is Joel Rosario.[2]

Racing career

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2020: Two-year-old season

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Jackie's Warrior began his career on 19 June at Churchill Downs in a maiden event for two-year-olds over a distance of five furlongs facing six other non-winners, of which only one had raced before. The more experienced Petit Verdot bounced out in front and from the 2 post Jackie's Warrior tracked the leader, then switch to the outside on the turn and in the straight a furlong from home cleared away to win by 2+12 lengths in a time of 57.49 seconds.[6]

Trainer Steve Asmussen then pointed Jackie's Warrior towards the two-year-old stakes races at Saratoga. In his next start on 7 August, Jackie's Warrior led throughout, winning the Grade II Saratoga Special Stakes by three lengths. Jockey Joel Rosario commented after the race, "When they came to him, he wanted to go, and I felt even more confident at that point. I knew he had something left."[4] After his second race J. Kirk Robison added his wife as part owner of Jackie's Warrior.[7]

Four weeks later, Jackie's Warrior faced seven rivals in the Grade I Hopeful Stakes. Again he went to the lead and opened up a five-length lead over even-money favorite Reinvestment Risk in the straight before finishing over 2 lengths in front at the wire.[7] Jackie's Warrior as the 9/5 second choice finished in a time of 1:21.29, which was a stakes record.[8]

Jackie's Warrior's next start was on 10 October in the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park, where he faced five other entrants. Starting as the 17/20 odds-on favorite, he led Reinvestment Risk throughout and extended his lead in the straight to win his fourth straight race by 5+12 lengths in a time of 1:35.42. Regular jockey Rosario said, “I was very confident that he could get the mile. He just enjoyed what he was doing."[9] Jackie's Warrior earned 10 points in qualification in the Road to the Kentucky Derby and emerged as the favorite for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.[10]

The Breeders' Cup Juvenile, held at Keeneland attracted a full field of 14, and Jackie's Warrior started as the 9/10 odds-on favorite.

From barrier 2, jockey Joel Rosario was not able to get to the lead from the start but had to settle and trail longshot Dreamer's Disease. Jackie's Warrior forged a path to the outside of Dreamer's Disease leaving the backstretch and hit the front to lead a by half-length. However, second favorite from midfield Essential Quality also moved four-wide towards the lead outside of Jackie's Warrior, passing the other leaders and winning. Jackie's Warrior finished fourth, beaten 3+14 lengths.[11]

Jackie's Warrior finished a distant second to Essential Quality in the Eclipse Award for US Champion Two-Year-Olds.[12]

2021: Three-year-old season

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After a break of over three months, Jackie's Warrior resumed his career with the plan to qualify for the Kentucky Derby as an entrant in the Grade III Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park over 1+116 miles.[13] Leading early, he tired in the straight, finishing a distant third to Essential Quality and Spielberg. Soon after, connections informed that Jackie's Warrior would be off the Kentucky Derby trail.[14]

On Kentucky Derby Day, he started as the 23/10 favorite in an undercard event, the Grade II Pat Day Mile Stakes for three-year-olds over a mile. After leading, Jackie's Warrior held on strongly to hold off Dream Shake to win by a neck.[15] Jockey Rosario commented after the race, "He likes when a horse comes up to him, and he really digs in. I was not worried about the fast early pace because he fights very hard down the stretch."[16]

Jackie's Warrior's third start of the year was at Belmont Park in the Grade I Woody Stephens Stakes over seven furlongs where he faced five other three-year-olds. Again starting well and leading with fast fractions of 22.09 and 44.19, he seemed to have the race in hand but was beaten by Drain The Clock by a neck.[17] According to his jockey, he stumbled out of the starting gate, which may have cost him the race.[18]

After a two-month break, Jackie's Warrior returned to Saratoga, where he had success the previous season. Starting as the 1/2 odds-on favorite in the Grade II Amsterdam Stakes he defeated Drain the Clock by 7+14 lengths on a sloppy track.[19]

Four weeks later in the Grade I H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes, Jackie's Warrior met Life Is Good. Jackie's Warrior came from off the lead to win by a neck in a fast time of 1:21.39. Life Is Good was making his first start after a 171-day layoff that included an operation.[20]

On 25 September, Jackie's Warrior started in the Grade II Gallant Bob Stakes at Parx Racing in Bensalem. He was the 1/20 favorite and won by nearly seven length in a time of 1:08.64 for the six-furlong distance.[21]

Jackie's Warrior’s last start of the year was in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar on 6 November. Installed as the 1/2 favorite, he was quick out of the gate and clocked fractions of 21.91 and 44.11 while being pressed by Special Reserve and Matera Sky. In the straight, Jackie's Warrior tired to finish sixth in the field of nine.[22]

The NTRA awarded him an Eclipse Award as American Champion Sprint Horse for 2021.[23]

2022: Four-year-old season

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Jackie's Warrior began his four-year-old campaign on 16 April in the Grade III Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn Park. On a sloppy sealed track Jackie's Warrior defeated five other foes in a time of 1:09.09.[24]

On 7 May Jackie's Warrior ran in the Grade I Churchill Downs Stakes on Kentucky Derby Day. Starting brilliantly as the even-money favorite he led all the way in the seven horse field extending in the straight to a comfortable four-length victory in a time of 1:21.95.[25]

On 10 June Jackie's Warrior faced five other entrants in the Grade II True North Stakes at Belmont Park. Starting as the overwhelming 1/4 odds on favorite Jackie's Warrior was bumped in the hindquarters at the start but was able to move forward and get to the lead and easily dispatched his foes winning by five lengths in a time of 1:15.09 with jockey Joel Rosario never asking him for his best and easing him up in the final 70 yards of the race.[26]

In the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga on July 30, Jackie's Warrior was assigned 127 pounds. Facing five other entrants Jackie's Warrior started as the overwhelming 1/4 odds-on favorite by the crowd of 37,476, made his opponents feeble as jockey Joel Rosario never moved a muscle cruised to the easiest of two-length wins in a time of 1:09.74. The margin could have been more had Rosario asked him for more.[27]

Jackie's Warrior attempted his sixth career win at Saratoga in the Grade I Forego Stakes on August 27. Starting as the 3/20 odds-on favorite was upset by the 8/1 second favorite Cody's Wish by 1+14 lengths in a time of 1:20.95. Trainer Steven Asmussen said, "There's a little sadness that it's his last time to run at Saratoga because he's brought us so much fun and joy here. He'll be sharp for the (Grade I Breeders' Cup Sprint), which will be his next and last race."[28]

On November 5, Jackie's Warrior ran his final career race in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland. Starting as the 0.77 favorite Jackie's Warrior finished third to Elite Power.[29]

Statistics

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Date Distance Race Grade Track Odds Field Finish Winning
Time
Winning
(Losing)
Margin
Jockey Ref
2020 – Two-year-old season
Jun 19, 2020 5 furlongs Maiden Special Weight Churchill Downs 2.10 7 1 0:57.49 2+12 lengths Ricardo Santana Jr. [6]
Aug 7, 2020 6 furlongs Saratoga Special Stakes II Saratoga 3.10 9 1 1:09.62 3 lengths Joel Rosario [30]
Sep 7, 2020 7 furlongs Hopeful Stakes I Saratoga 1.85 7 1 1:21.29 2+14 lengths Joel Rosario [7]
Oct 10, 2020 1 mile Champagne Stakes I Belmont Park 0.85* 6 1 1:35.42 5+12 lengths Joel Rosario [31]
Nov 6, 2020 1+116 miles Breeders' Cup Juvenile I Keeneland 0.90* 14 4 1:42.09 (3+14 lengths) Joel Rosario [32]
2021 – Three-year-old season
Feb 27, 2021 1+116 miles Southwest Stakes III Oaklawn Park 1.20 7 3 1:45.48 (8+12 lengths) Joel Rosario [13]
May 1, 2021 1 mile Pat Day Mile Stakes II Churchill Downs 2.30* 11 1 1:34.39 head Joel Rosario [15]
Jun 5, 2021 7 furlongs Woody Stephens Stakes I Belmont Park 1.05* 6 2 1:22.27 (neck) Joel Rosario [17]
Aug 1, 2021 6+12 furlongs Amsterdam Stakes II Saratoga 0.50* 6 1 1:15.46 7+14 lengths Joel Rosario [19]
Aug 28, 2021 7 furlongs H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes I Saratoga 1.55 6 1 1:21.39 neck Joel Rosario [33]
Sep 25, 2021 6 furlongs Gallant Bob Stakes II Parx Racing 0.05* 5 1 1:08.64 6+34 lengths Joel Rosario [21]
Nov 6, 2021 6 furlongs Breeders' Cup Sprint I Del Mar 0.50* 9 6 1:08.49 (4+12 lengths) Joel Rosario [22]
2022 – Four-year-old season
Apr 16, 2022 6 furlongs Count Fleet Sprint Handicap III Oaklawn Park 0.50* 6 1 1:09.09 +34 length Joel Rosario [24]
May 7, 2022 7 furlongs Churchill Downs Stakes I Churchill Downs 1.00* 7 1 1:21.95 4 lengths Joel Rosario [34]
Jun 10, 2022 6+12 furlongs True North Stakes II Belmont Park 0.25* 6 1 1:15.09 5 lengths Joel Rosario [35]
Jul 30, 2022 6 furlongs Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap I Saratoga 0.25* 6 1 1:09.74 2 lengths Joel Rosario [36]
Aug 27, 2022 7 furlongs Forego Stakes I Saratoga 0.15* 7 2 1:20.95 (1+14 lengths) Joel Rosario [37]
Nov 5, 2022 6 furlongs Breeders' Cup Sprint I Keeneland 0.77* 11 3 1:09.11 (1+34 lengths) Joel Rosario [38]

Notes:
An (*) asterisk after the odds means Jackie's Warrior was the post-time favourite.

Stud career

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On retirement will begin his stud career at Spendthrift Farm in 2023.[27] It was announced that Jackie's Warrior would stand his first season for a fee of $50,000.[29]

Pedigree

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Pedigree of Jackie's Warrior, bay colt, 13 February 2018[1]
Sire
Maclean's Music
2008
Distorted Humor
1993
Forty Niner
1985
Mr Prospector 1970
File 1976
Danzig's Beauty
1987
Danzig* 1977
Sweetest Chant 1978
Forest Music
2001
Unbridled's Song
1993
Unbridled 1987
Trolley Song 1983
Defer West
1991
Gone West 1984
Defer 1983
Dam
Unicorn Girl
2005
A.P. Five Hundred
1999
A.P. Indy
1989
Seattle Slew 1974
Weekend Surprise 1980
Banner Dancer
1989
Danzig* 1977
Nalees Flying Flag 1975
Horah for Bailey
2001
Doneraile Court
1996
Seattle Slew 1974
Sophisticated Girl 1980
Horah for the Lady
1993
Rahy 1985
Istria (GB) 1977 (family 4-n)[39]

* Jackie's Warrior is inbred 4S x 4D to the stallion Danzig, meaning that he appears fourth generation on the sire side of his pedigree and fourth on the dam side of his pedigree.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Pedigree of Jackie's Warrior". Equineline. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Profile of Jackie's Warrior". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Oser, Christine. "Breeders' Cup Victory Propels Elite Power". www.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 11 February 2022. The Juddmonte runner outpolled Cody's Wish, Jackie's Warrior, and others.
  4. ^ a b Ehalt, Bob (7 August 2020). "Jackie's Warrior Gives Asmussen Another 'Special' Award Hall of Fame trainer claims fifth victory in Saratoga Special (G2)". BloodHorse.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  5. ^ King, Byron (1 November 2020). "Jackie's Warrior Living Up to His Name The 2-year-old is out of 15-year-old Unicorn Girl, who won 19 races and $483,508". BloodHorse.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Chart for June 19, 2020 at Churchill Downs – Race 3". equibase.com. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  7. ^ a b c "2020 Runhappy Hopeful Stakes (Grade 1 - race 13)". www.equibase.com. 7 September 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  8. ^ Ehalt, Bob (7 September 2020). "Jackie's Warrior Wires Hopeful Stakes Maclean's Music colt completed seven furlongs in 1:21.29". BloodHorse.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  9. ^ Crosby, Claire (10 October 2020). "Jackie's Warrior Preserves Perfect Record in Champagne; The 2-year-old son of Maclean's Music remained undefeated Oct. 10 at Belmont Park". BloodHorse.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  10. ^ King, Byron (2 November 2020). "Jackie's Warrior Faces Two-Turn Test in BC Juvenile; Breeders' Futurity (G1) winner Essential Quality other grade 1 winner in Nov. 6 test". BloodHorse.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  11. ^ Daugherty, Meredith (6 November 2020). "Essential Quality Rallies to Win Breeders' Cup Juvenile Favored Jackie's Warrior settled for fourth after chasing demanding fractions". BloodHorse.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  12. ^ King, Byron (28 January 2021). "Essential Quality Takes 2-Year-Old Male Honors Godolphin's homebred son of Tapit was undefeated in 2020". BloodHorse.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Southwest Stakes (Grade 3 - race 10)". equibase.com. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  14. ^ BloodHorse Staff (3 March 2021). "Jackie's Warrior Pointed to Pat Day Mile". The Blood-Horse. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  15. ^ a b "Pat Day Mile Stakes presented by LG&E and K Stakes (Grade 2 - race 8)". equibase.com. 1 May 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  16. ^ King, Byron (1 May 2022). "Outduels Dream Shake in Pat Day Mile Son of Maclean's Music was a dual grade 1 winner in one-turn races last year". BloodHorse.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  17. ^ a b "Woody Stephens Stakes Presented by Nassau County Industrial Development Agent (Grade 1 - race 3)". equibase.com. 5 June 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  18. ^ King, Byron (5 June 2022). "Drain the Clock Earns Grade 1 Score in Woody Stephens Maclean's Music colts run 1-2 in the $400,000, seven-furlong race". BloodHorse.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  19. ^ a b "Amsterdam Stakes (Grade 2 - race 9)". equibase.com. 1 August 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  20. ^ Ehalt, Bob (28 August 2021). "Jackie's Warrior Bests Life Is Good in H. Allen Jerkens; Maclean's Music colt won second graded stakes of Saratoga meet". BloodHorse.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  21. ^ a b "Gallant Bob Stakes (Grade 2 - race 10)". equibase.com. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  22. ^ a b "Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (Grade 1 - race 8)". equibase.com. 6 November 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  23. ^ Oser, Christine (10 February 2022). "Jackie's Warrior Speeds to Champion Male Sprinter Title Maclean's Music colt won four graded stakes in 2021, including H. Allen Jerkens (G1)". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  24. ^ a b "Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (Grade 3 - race 11)". equibase.com. 16 April 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  25. ^ Angst, Frank (6 May 2022). "Jackie's Warrior Asserts Dominance in Churchill Downs; Aloha West finishes third in his first race since his Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) win". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  26. ^ King, Byron (10 June 2022). "Jackie's Warrior in a Class of His Own in True North; The Maclean's Music 4-year-old sped 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.09". Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  27. ^ a b Wilkin, Tim (30 July 2022). "Jackie's Warrior Cruises in Vanderbilt; The champion Maclean's Music colt raced six furlongs in 1:09.74". Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  28. ^ Ehalt, Bob (27 August 2022). "Cody's Wish Upsets Champion Jackie's Warrior in Forego; The son of Curlin posted his first grade 1 victory Aug. 27 at Saratoga Race Course". Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  29. ^ a b "Jackie's Warrior, Cyberknife on Display at Spendthrift Cyberknife will return to the barn of trainer Brad Cox in mid-month". bloodhorse.com. Spendthrift Farm. 8 November 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  30. ^ "2020 Saratoga Special Stakes Presented by Miller Lite (Grade 2 - race 9)". www.equibase.com. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  31. ^ "2020 Champagne Stakes (Grade 1 - race 4)". www.equibase.com. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  32. ^ "TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (Grade 1 - race 10)". equibase.com. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  33. ^ "H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (Grade 1 - race 9)". equibase.com. 28 August 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  34. ^ "Churchill Downs S. presented by Ford (Grade 1 - race 10)". equibase.com. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  35. ^ "True North Stakes (Grade 2 - race 9)". equibase.com. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  36. ^ "2022 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (Grade 1 - race 8)". www.equibase.com. 30 July 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  37. ^ "Forego Stakes (Grade 1 - race 5)". equibase.com. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  38. ^ "Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (Grade 1 - race 7)". equibase.com. 5 November 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  39. ^ "Thoroughbred Bloodlines - St. Marguerite (GB) - Family 4-n". www.bloodlines.net. Archived from the original on 2022-02-13. Retrieved 11 February 2022.