Zayat Stables’ JAYCITO (Victory Gallop) took the overland route down the
backside and around the far turn at Hollywood Park in Saturday’s $250,000
Norfolk
S. (G1), but had enough stamina to overtake even-money favorite J P’s Gusto
(Successful Appeal) to land the 1 1/16-mile Cushion Track feature by a length
under Mike Smith. Despite enduring a four-wide trip for more than half the race,
Jaycito likely stamped his ticket to Louisville for the November 6 Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile (G1) which will be contested at the same distance as the Norfolk, which
he completed in 1:44.
A maiden from two starts entering the Norfolk, Jaycito was expected to
improve stretching out to two turns for the first time. He settled into fourth
outside rivals entering the first turn, with 71-1 outsider Clearance Clarence
(Cryptoclearance) taking the early lead from J P’s Gusto, who entered the
Norfolk with consecutive scores in the Del Mar Futurity (G1), Best Pal S. (G2),
Hollywood Juvenile Championship (G3) and Willard Proctor Memorial S. Biding his
time as Clearance Clarence clipped off a quarter in :24 1/5, jockey Pat
Valenzuela soon applied pressure with J P’s Gusto, and the margin between the
two was only a head after a half in :48 3/5 and three-quarters in 1:13.
Riveting Reason (Fusaichi Pegasus) and Jaycito were in close attendance to
the two leaders throughout, with the latter staying in the clear while taking
the scenic journey. Turning into the stretch, J P’s Gusto easily dispensed with
Clearance Clarence and opened up a length, but Jaycito found plenty in the tank
to fight on with, eventually wearing down J P’s Gusto in the final yards. That
rival had 1 1/2 lengths on Riveting Reason, with Clearance Clarence 1 1/4
lengths farther back in fourth.
Jaycito paid $8.40, $3.20 and $2.80 as the 3-1 third choice, while J P’s
Gusto gave back $2.60 and $2.20. Riveting Reason, at 36-1, paid $5.60. The $1
exotics were worth $8.70 (exacta), $72.60 (trifecta) and $608.80 (7-1-6-2
superfecta). Acaffella (Mr. Greeley) and Lucky Mr. K (Benchmark) trailed the
field, while Boxeur des Rues (Smart Strike) bolted leaving the second turn and
unseated Rafael Bejarano while being pulled up.
Jaycito debuted in a six-furlong maiden at Del Mar on August 21, showed speed
and faded near the end to finish second by a half-length. Brought back for the
September 8 Del Mar Futurity at seven furlongs, the bay broke very slowly to
trail the field of 11 through the early stages, but made a strong rally in the
final furlong to grab second, 4 1/2 lengths behind J P’s Gusto. This
maiden-breaking win boosted his lifetime earnings to $210,000.
Jaycitio was bred in Kentucky by Runnymede Farm and Catesby Clay, and was a
$110,000 Keeneland September yearling. He is the second winner from as many
foals produced by the multiple stakes-placed Night Edition (Ascot Knight), a
half-sister to the stakes winner G S T Blues (Pax Nobiscum) and the
stakes-placed Sweet Marie (Regal Intention). Jaycito’s third dam was the
multiple stakes winner Sundae Star (Right Combination), a half-sister to the
Grade 3-placed stakes winners Juan de Fuca (Lord Vancouver) and Mrs. Specklewing
(Vice Regent).