by Charlene Sharpe, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Charlene Sharpe

Salisbury, MD — Much to the pleasure of his connections, Surfs Up Jack got more than just his name from his mother.

Surfs Up Jack, the 3-year-old son of Noble Surfer (Nobleland Sam-Breezy Beach) and Maryland pacing stallion Capitol Power, may not have reached his parents’ speeds yet, but he has the same desire and determination to win that his mother was known for on the Delmarva circuit.

“She gave us everything she had racing,” said Curtis Daniels, who trained Noble Surfer for significant other Christina Talley. “I thought she’d have a foal just like her.”

And that she did, after her very first trip to the breeding shed.

Surfs Up Jack has banked $11,502 in 14 starts this year.

Daniels and Talley campaigned Noble Surfer in 2004 and 2005. Although she was a $7,500 claimer when she first arrived at Daniels’ stable, she spent 2004 moving up the ranks, racing in a non-winners of $11,001 last six starts by the end of the year. With eight wins for the year, she amassed earnings of more than $34,000 and took a new lifetime mark of 1:55.1h in the process. She continued her success into 2005, winning $16,865 in just 13 starts.

When her years of racing finally caught up to her, Talley retired Noble Surfer and decided to breed her. Looking for a stallion on a limited budget, the couple chose to send their mare to Dan Myer’s Capitol Power p,3,1:51.3 ($139,636) in Delmar, Maryland.

Just about a year later, Daniels arrived at his barn at Ocean Downs on the morning of June 1, 2007 to find that Noble Surfer had had a little brown colt. It was an exciting event for the entire family — Daniels and Talley and their four children –as they had never raised a foal of their own. They named the colt after his mother and Talley’s father, well known race caller Jack Talley.

Daniels, who makes a living breaking colts, had no trouble with Surfs Up Jack when he started harnessing the colt just before his 2-year-old year.

“I started him late because I was too involved with other people’s colts,” said Daniels, who’s currently breaking several colts for Delaware trainer Joe Hundertpfund, Jr. “But he was OK. The only thing was he wanted to follow everybody when we were breaking him.”

Surfs Up Jack lowered his mark to 1:57.2h on Oct. 21.

Daniels said the colt trained down well although he remained small with an extremely narrow chest.

“I was worried about him hitting his knees,” Daniels said, “which he did.”

As a 2-year-old Surfs Up Jack did make the races however, even winning a qualifier at Ocean Downs in 2:06. While he only earned $240, Daniels knew he might just need some time.

“I figured if we gave him another year he might turn around,” he said.

He qualified Surfs Up Jack on March 31, 2010 with the colt pacing in 2:01.4 at Dover Downs, and tried to qualify him again a few weeks later at Harrington. That, however, was when his troubles started, as he began making breaks. Daniels said for whatever reason the colt couldn’t quite stay flat. Some shoeing adjustments suggested by fellow Salisbury trainer Frank Lemon did the trick though, and Surfs Up Jack qualified impressively at Harrah’s Chester on June 12, just two days after making a break in a race at Harrington. He paced the mile in 1:56.1, coming the last quarter in :27.3.

“That turned him around and got his confidence up,” Daniels said.

The following week he returned to Harrington a new horse, coming first over for driver Ross Wolfenden to win in 1:58.4. After that Surfs Up Jack — who races with the same rigging his mother wore — became a relatively reliable performer in the First State’s non-winners of two ranks, getting several checks. Today he boasts two wins, two seconds and three thirds from just 14 starts.

“He’s always right there,” said Daniels.

Surfs Up Jack made it to the winner’s circle again on Oct. 21 at Harrington, crossing the wire first in 1:57.2.

“Every time he’s won he’s come from behind,” Daniels said.

Charlene Sharpe photos

Jason Talley gets Surfs Up Jack ready for the track.

With earnings of $11,742 lifetime and a mark of 1:57.2h, Surfs Up Jack is now officially the best offspring of Capitol Power, who breeds a handful of mares each year. Daniels has even been given another Capitol Power, Tingle Belle, to train thanks to Surfs Up Jack’s achievements.

In addition to his success on the racetrack, Surfs Up Jack has benefited his connections in other ways. His quiet demeanor has given Daniels’ sons, John and Jason Talley, the chance to have hands on involvement, doing everything from helping break the colt to training him now between starts.

While John has moved on to work for another trainer, Jason works with Surfs Up Jack and helps Daniels in the barn on a daily basis.

Daniels said Surfs Up Jack has always been the family pet.

“He’s so quiet,” he said. “You wouldn’t even think he’s a stud. Anybody can work with him.”