Madaket Stables, Molly Willis, and Paul Willis’ Jimmy P poured it on in the final turn to notch his first grade 1 triumph in style in the $150,000 Jonathan Sheppard (NSA-1), a 2 3/8-mile steeplechase handicap for older horses at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 14.
“He did it so easy. He doesn’t strike me as a super-fast horse—he just stays,” said trainer Keri Brion. “The whole way around you could tell (jockey) Stephen (Mulqueen) was completely in hand, and always happy so you knew he was going well. He’s deceiving because he always runs but he’s not really on the bridle, so you don’t really know, and he just gave him a squeeze and (was) gone.”
A tremendous effort from JIMMY P who dominates the Grade 1 Jonathan Sheppard Handicap under @MulqueenStephen for trainer @Keri145! pic.twitter.com/M4PIAH1Tl9
— NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA) August 14, 2024
The 6-year-old Slumber gelding showed a tremendous reversal of form after being soundly beaten in his first two outings this year. He finished second in this event last year, but returned with aplomb this year to decimate his rivals by 34 1/2 lengths with a decisive move into the far turn.
Brion said Jimmy P trained exceptionally into this race after an even fourth last-out in the Beverly R. Steinman (NSA-1) in June at Aqueduct Racetrack.
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“I trained him wrong into the Beverly Steinman. I was training him with my other horse and this horse takes more training, so I probably did him a disservice,” said Brion. “He ran a fine fourth, but he was very tired after that day. Today, I knew I had him ready. He was a fresh horse and a lot of these aren’t. A lot of these had run 3 1/2 weeks ago, so when he came around the turn Abaan was my biggest concern because he has such good flat form, but I could tell he got the jump. I did think he’d win today; I did not think he’d win like that.”
Jimmy P was well-rated in fourth in the early stages of the race as the Jamie Bargary-piloted Pickanumber showed the way over the firm inner turf course. The pacesetter raced well clear of Going Country through the first of five turns before post-time favorite Zarak the Brave fell and unseated jockey Graham Watters at the second fence.
The well-regarded Abaan made his move from last approaching the final fence and moved up into contention on the outside as Pickanumber became leg-weary, but it was Jimmy P who made an eye-catching move up the inside to take a clear command entering the final turn.
Jimmy P opened up on his rivals and showed a stunning turn of foot in the last quarter-mile, increasing his margin with every stride as his rivals tried in vain to close the gap. Jimmy P was never threatened and crossed the wire all alone under a celebrating Mulqueen in a final time of 4:31.64. Going Country kept on well to preserve place honors over Abaan.
Zarak the Brave was apprehended on the backstretch and walked to the dirt course to be provided a ride home in the equine ambulance. Watters visited first aid and has been cleared. Artistic Choice returned lame and was also provided a ride back in the equine ambulance.
Mulqueen said the gelding was poised to put in a better run than last time.
“He blew them away, didn’t he? I am not going to say I expected it, but I expected a bigger run,” said Mulqueen. “He probably needed the run the last day and he finished fourth. He had been stepping forward at home, so look I was really looking forward to riding him. All he does is keep galloping, if he was in Ireland he would be running over three miles. Stamina is not a problem for him. I knew when I jumped the last, he picked up. I thought he maybe pulled a couple of lengths clear, I was afraid to look behind me because I thought I could hear some, but I had a glance at the screen, and he was miles clear wasn’t he?”
Bred in Kentucky by Madaket Stables and Head of Plains Partners, Jimmy P posted his fourth win since moving to jumps in July 2022. He banked $90,000 in victory while improving his lifetime record to 5-2-2 from 21 starts. The win made New York stallion Slumber the sire of a graded stakes winner on both the flat and over jumps from just 15 horses to race.
Video: Jonathan Sheppard H. (G1)
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
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