Jack Christopher Adds G1 H. Allen Jerkens to Resume

Munnings’ Jack Christopher (3c Munnings x Rushin No Blushin, by Half Ours) added a third Grade I victory to his resume on Saturday with a win in the Grade I H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes over seven furlongs at Saratoga.

As expected, Jack Christopher was near the pace when racing second just about a length behind the pacesetter. That one lost his lead around the turn when Jack Christopher started to make his move, quickly taking over to run away from the field.

Never asked for his best by Jose Ortiz, the Chad Brown trainee won by a deceivingly small 1 ¼ lengths.

“I’m just so proud of the horse,” Brown said. “He’s been a very consistent horse. He’s never disappointed us in a workout or a race. Jose [Ortiz] rode another fantastic race on him. He broke sharp and used good judgment to rate him just a touch. Every pole, he was in control of the race. I’m so proud of both Jose and the horse.”

A future Coolmore stallion, Jack Christopher was winning his fourth graded stakes and fifth race overall in six starts. His only loss came when third in the Grade I Haskell Stakes.

The earner of $1,216,400, Jack Christopher races for Jim Bakke, Gerald Isbister, Coolmore, and Peter Brant and was bred by Castleton Lyons and Kilboy Estate.

He is one of two winners out of a half-sister to the dual Grade I winner Street Boss and multiple Grade II placed Habiboo, who produced Grade III winners Bellera and Life Imitates Art.

Jack Christopher has a 2-year-old half-sister by Ashford freshman sire Mo Town to come.

This is the second stakes winner in less than 24 hours for Munnings, whose Sir Alfred James won the Russell Road Stakes on Friday night.