Trainer Doug O’Neill won the newly renamed Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes (G2) Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park—just not with the horse the public expected. Instead of favored Katonah capturing the $201,500 contest on the opening day of the Santa Anita winter/spring meet, it was former claimer J B Strikes Back who upset the 1 1/16-mile race at 16-1 odds.
Taking over from fellow long shot Ashcroft upon reaching the half-mile stage, J B Strikes Back repelled a series of bids from more accomplished runners to defeat Tarantino and American Admiral by 1 1/4 lengths. The winner was clocked in 1:43.80 for the distance, returning $34.80 for a $2 win wager.
Tarantino nosed out a rallying American Admiral for the place.
O’Neill credited owner Janie Buss of Purple Rein Racing for being eager to try the streaking runner after resounding victories against much easier competition in starter allowance and first-level allowance optional claiming company this fall at Del Mar.
“Unfortunately she couldn’t be here today. But this is really for her because she wanted to take a chance after his last couple efforts,” he said. “We took a chance and it worked out perfect.”
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The owner’s small stable now has two graded stakes winners. The other is Mucho Del Oro , winner of the San Simeon Stakes (G3T) and Daytona Stakes (G3T) this year.
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The Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes, formerly known as the San Antonio Stakes (G2), honored the riding legend, who was on hand with family and friends to present the winning trophy.
Of the eight participating horses in Thursday’s race, just two entered the race as existing graded stakes winners— 2022 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) winner Express Train and Lammas , a grade 3 winner in 2022 and 2024. They ran fourth and eighth, respectively.
Nor did J B Strike Back’s stablemate, Katonah, threaten. He finished sixth after being outpaced in grade 1 company in his last three starts.
Though J B Strike Back’s closing sixteenth of a mile was slow, timed in :06.88, it was good enough to fend off the opposition and partially reflective of quick fractions in the race of :22.71, :45.67, and 1:09.99.
“And I think I still have something underneath, so there is some room for improvement, and I’ll be very excited to see where he goes next,” jockey Antonio Fresu said.
Bred by Woods Edge Farm in Kentucky, J B Strikes Back is now the second graded stakes winner produced by the Scat Daddy mare Allanah , the other being grade 3 winner Reincarnate , who is also placed at the grade 1 level. J B Strikes Back was purchased by trainer Doug O’Neill for $52,000 from the Eddie Woods consignment to the Ocala Breeders’ Sales ‘March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training in 2023.
Purple Rein Racing initially campaigned J B Strikes Back, and after he was claimed off the owner for $20,000, Purple Rein and O’Neill claimed him back for $25,000 a start later this summer.
J B Strikes Back is a 3-year-old son of dual Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Goldencents . The sire of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan , Goldencents stands for $10,000 next year at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky.
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