Becca J preps for Zweig Filly with win
August 8, 2004,by M. Kelly Young, Harness Horse Breeders of NYS
MONTICELLO, N.Y.—Becca J continued to shine on the New York Sire Stakes circuit on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 8, winning her third event in a comfortable 2:03 at Monticello Raceway.
It appears no horse in the 3-year-old trotting filly division can touch the daughter of Sir Taurus, owned by Ken Jacobs.
“John (trainer-driver John Stark Jr.) said he didn’t even ask her in the stretch; he just kept his whip on his shoulder,” said Jacobs of her move to collar early leader Irooquoindianscent from the pocket.
The connections used this race to begin testing equipment for the big races planned later in the season, including stakes at The Red Mile in Lexington, Ky., and the Breeders Crown. They changed her shoes for this event, trying half rounds for the first time.
“We’re testing her for the bigger races,” explained Jacobs of his Sir Taurus filly. “We’ll start in the Zweig filly (in Syracuse, N.Y.) next week. We want to try her against some big fillies before she goes to the Grand Circuit this fall.
“We haven’t raced her too much so far this season. Earlier today Alan Schwartz (owner of Iroquoindianscent) asked me why I hadn’t raced her since the 16th of July,” added Jacobs. “We don’t have to (because she stays in shape) and I don’t want to tire her out because we’ve got a lot of races at the end of the season.”
While Jacobs celebrated a potential Grand Circuit filly, owners Paul and Pauline Nower and trainer Jody Weidman were celebrating a two-win afternoon. The connections won half of the four Sire Stakes divisions on the card.
Their early-season standout, El Paso Gal, was sick last week and before her race the Nowers were concerned about her performance. The El Paso Kash miss, however, dispelled all worries when she and driver Gary Gibson grabbed the lead at the quarter and charged home a commanding 16-length winner in 2:01.2. The time was the fastest of the Sire Stakes divisions and her seasonal earnings are now pushing $40,000.
Comeupforair, a Movie Mogul filly the Nowers share ownership in with Weidman, scored a 2:04.1 career mark in another division. Also directed by Gibson, this was her first victory in Sire Stakes action.
“This was quite a day,” said Paul Nower. “It’s what you dream about.
”Both El Paso Gal and Comeupforair will start next in State Fair divisions at the Syracuse Mile.
Dawns Angel, a Sir Taurus filly owned by Joel Wheeler, opened up in her division to win by 10 lengths in 2:02.3. Jeff Gregory directed the now two-time Sire Stakes victor for trainer Robert Bloodgood.