This is Great!! .............. It's great to be sitting in this position having Down The Jazz not only just be part of one of the classic races in the SIM, but to actually win the Bluegrass Derby was fantastic. As for my sake, if anyone would have asked me if I ever thought I would have a horse that could win this race, I would have answered; "Probably not, but I sure would like to." So yeah, one of my biggest dreams in the SIM had been fulfilled, for sure. Having been playing this game a year, now and then I would try to imagine what it would take for a SIM horse to win the SIM Triple Crown. I always came to the conclusion that it would be next to impossible due to the nature of the SIM horse and the demands of the Triple Crown campaign, different qualities are needed for each of the three races and then compile that to the form cycle that every SIM horse has (each is different) which may go against them at this time, it is surely almost an impossible feat.
My thoughts for Jazz were only for how I brought him yo th Bluegrass Derby, I really was not giving thought to any other race. After his performance in the John Wooden I knew he had what it would take to win the Bluegrass Derby and I was confident that I had given him the right prep races for him to run great there. Now, there wasn't any work to do as for finding a race for him, I cannot do anything to prepare him for the Middle Jewel. He is what he is and hopefully it's good enough to win the Middle Jewel. I could only handicap him and see if any of his attributes would be effective in the Middle Jewel.
All Spring I thought the speed figure needed to win the Bluegrass Derby would be around 105, Down The Jazz ran 103 . I didn't realize it at the time , but the slow pace of the Derby really worked in DTJ's best interest and gives him an advantage in this series. Down The Jazz has his LTH = 110, then a recessive race in Sydney, then upto a 103 SPF in the Derby. This meant that the Derby win did not push close to his LTH and he had plenty of room to improve again off the 103 SPF. Considering the 1/16th of a mile shorter in distance for the Middle Jewell, DTJ could very well earn a speed figure close to his Life Time High - 110 . He also turned Sharp for this race, all of a sudden I feel real good about his chances of winning this race ......... Unbelieveable!! I had not planned things this way but now everything was just falling into place.
R. Haffner back in the irons.
Jockey Instruction = Jockey Select (-1)
I couldn't believe it!! ........ Not that he won the race, but the manner in which he did it. Instead of being allowed to settle wide and at the back of mid-pack, Down The Jazz broke from the gate strong (as usual) and secured a position along the rail right behind the early leaders who this time were setting a very strong and lively pace. Down The Jazz settled in a stalking spot but then, a move much sooner than he made in the past, he attacked the pace, split the leaders and ran-off to build a lead of five lengths at the top of the stretch. Alykurtz Cat who finished 2nd to him in the Bluegrass Derby was prompted by the fast pace and put in a good closing effort but by that time the race had already been won; Down The Jazz just cruised to the wire.
Maybe those races where I tried to improve his tactical speed have finally helped, in a big way. Going into the race I felt very good about his chances of winning this race, but is was how he won that was truly spectacular; Attacking the pace like that was beyond my wildest dreams ......... LOL!!
