Jack Christopher (c, 2, Munnings–Rushin No Blushin, by Half Ours) entered the starting gate on the GI Runhappy Travers S. undercard with a lofty reputation based off his morning breezes for Chad Brown, including a five-furlong drill from the gate in :59 3/5 (2/35) at the Spa Aug. 7, and lived up to the hype with a flashy 'TDN Rising Star' debut performance.
He broke sharply and pressed Back to Normal (Liam's Map) on the outside through an opening quarter in :21.83. The even-money favorite poked his blaze face in front approaching the quarter pole, took over shortly thereafter with a shake of the reins, and put on a show down the lane after receiving no fewer than four left-handed reminders from Jose Ortiz to win going away by 8 3/4 lengths. Hoist the Gold (Mineshaft) was second.
The winner's dam, also represented by a Mo Town filly of 2020, was bred to Complexity for 2022. Rushin No Blushin, a maiden of eight career starts, was claimed for $50,000 out of her career finale by owner/trainer Neil Pessin at Keeneland in 2013. The half-sister to MGISW and useful sire Street Boss (Street Cry {Ire}) subsequently brought $70,000 from Castleton Lyons, in foal to Congrats, at the 2014 KEENOV sale.
The Speightstown/Half Ours cross was represented just Friday evening by new stakes winner Door Buster (Speightster) in the Sylvia Bishop Memorial S. at Charles Town.
This is the seventh 'Rising Star' for Munnings.
“We're not one to really tighten the screws on these horses first time out, particularly dirt horses, but this horse just took us there,” winning trainer Chad Brown said on Saratoga Live in the winner's circle. “I'm so proud of him–especially mentally. The talent was always there, but when they come together mentally right before the debut and show their class, it's a relief for a trainer.”
Brown added that the GI Champagne S. at Belmont Park could be next for Jack Christopher.
2nd-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-28, 2yo, 6f, 1:09.85, ft, 8 3/4 lengths.
JACK CHRISTOPHER, c, 2, by Munnings
1st Dam: Rushin No Blushin, by Half Ours
2nd Dam: Blushing Ogygian, by Ogygian
3rd Dam: Fruhlingshochzeit, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
Sales history: $145,000 RNA Ylg '20 FTKSEL; $135,000 Ylg '20 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
O-Jim Bakke & Gerald Isbister; B-Castleton Lyons & Kilboy Estate (KY); T-Chad C. Brown.
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