Jet Again surrounded by well wishers after Frank Arnason Sire Stakes win.
by George
Jet Again continued his well-managed progression towards the $75,000 Manitoba Derby Friday night with an easy victory in the Frank Aranason Sire Stakes, Jennifer Reid scored a hat trick, and young couples came out in droves as the predicted rain got lost somewhere else.
Relaxing nicely for jockey Chris Husbands in the Frank Arnason, Jet Again rated just back and outside of pacesetter Wouf de Douf through fractions of 23.20 and 46.40 before moving to challenge that one in late turn. The pair passed the eighth pole in 59.00, but Jet Again was still rating while Wouf de Douf was being asked. Jet Again drew out as he pleased from midstretch to win by 5 1/2-lengths over Wouf de Douf, getting the six furlongs in 1:11.20. It was 12 lengths back to third-place finisher Gibsons Finest.
The drying out track was lightning fast, so the time wasn't quite as impressive as it looked on the tote board, but the manor of victory was. Trained by Jim Meyaard for partners Barry Arnason, Cam Ziprick and Charles Fouillard, Jet Again has improved substantially this year and has now won all three of his starts in 2014.
The Frank Arnason was the first stakes victory for the Manitoba-bred gelding by Going Commando-High Pioneer by Pioneering, and increased his earnings to $42,775 from a record of 3-2-1 in seven starts. His owners will now have to figure out where to run next.
The $30,000 Harry Jeffrey Stakes going 1 1/16-miles on July 16 would be the next logical step towards the Manitoba Derby, but Barry Arnason also has 3-year-old Golden Boy Stakes winner Northern Contract pointed towards the Manitoba Derby with trainer Don Schell. Decisions to make, but pleasurable ones.
Jennifer Reid won the first, seventh and ninth races aboard My Dream Cat ($7.60), Baloch Or ($6.80) and More Than Wishes ($4.50) to complete a hat trick and moved into sixth in the rider standings with 10 wins. The only other multiple winner among riders on Friday was Omar Walker, who won the sixth race with Heavenly Lioness ($13.70) and the eighth on Runaway Lion ($12.60). The two lions helped Walker remain fourth in the standings with 16 wins, behind Adolfo Morales (25 wins), Paul Nolan (20) and Chris Husbands (17).
Trainer Emile Corbel was the only double winner among trainers on Friday, scoring in the second race with Denouement ($4.90) and in the ninth with More Than Wishes ($4.50) to bring his win total for the year to seven. Ardell Sayler continues to lead all trainers with 30 wins, followed by Jim Meyaard (11 wins), Rob Atras (10), Blair Miller (9) and Jared Brown (9).
The $2 Pick-4 paid a good $747.30 off winners that paid $9.40, $4.30, $13.70 and $6.80 and the largest Superfecta of the night ($742.40) surprisingly came in the fifth race, which was won by favourite Hop Along Harry.
Looks like more of the same beautiful weather for Saturday night with nine races highlighted by the $25,000 Hazel Wright Sire Stakes. Nose the Pose is the favourite. Smoke Show hopes to upset.
Romance is free.
Next Post Time for Live Racing: 7 p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2014
