A couple of weeks later, Down The Jazz's condition turned "Sharp", this boy wanted to run! I really wanted for him to have a little time off until he turned 3yo in a few weeks. But, I was excited to see him run after winning his first race so easily and with such a good speed figure. Being a 2yo and earning that high of speed figure led me to believe that he would be able to run well in a minor stakes competition without worry that I may be rushing him into a situation that he couldn't handle.
Down The Jazz has a pedigree that suggests that his best races might be around two turns. (Greater than a mile.) But, he handled the 6.5f distance so well I decided to run him at the same distance and use this as a prep race for going a flat mile in his next race. I have learned that keeping a horse at the same distance they had excelled at but raising the class of the race will often benefit the horse in this class rise.
Jockey Instruction = Go For The Lead (1). I used this instruction in hopes he would show good early speed which will enhance his tactical speed in his longer next race.
Everything worked great; Down The Jazz rated right behind the pace setter, passed him at the top of the stretch and gaining the lead only to be beaten by less than a lenght at the finish. I knew sprinting was not going to be an area that he would excell, but what he accomplished in this race will surely benefit his performance in his next race at a distance he will be much better suited for. This was a stakes race and it was a very important move when he gained the lead in the stretch. This showed that he likes what he was asked to do and also passed the test of showing enough class to compete at the stakes level of racing.
