Jess's Dream wins debut race

The legend of Curlin, Rachel Alexandra and the late Jess Jackson continued on Monday, Aug. 24, at Saratoga, as their 3-year-old son, Jess's Dream scored an impressive one-length victory in his debut race.

Jess's Dream, with Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez riding, won his debut race at Saratoga on Monday, Aug. 24. Breaking from gate 3, the son of Curlin and Rachel Alexandra scored a one-length victory in the sixth race. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

It came in the sixth race on the day's card, a Maiden Special Weight for 3-year-olds and up.

Breaking from post position three with Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez riding, Jess's Dream broke the slowest of the seven-horse field after possibly hitting the left-side of the gate, and then settled into last place near the rail.

He stayed in that position for a good portion of the race, but then as the field moved into the final turn, he bean to pick up the pace.

Moved off the rail coming out of the turn and into the stretch, he eventually ended up in the seven-path near midstretch. All the while, as he moved outside, he began picking off the horses in front of him.

Finally, near the finish line, he caught up to the race leaders, gained a small lead, and at the wire, won by a length over Securitiz.

Finishing third was Godrevy, with All Rise, who had led most of the way, finishing fourth, with Captain Tim, Sharm and Prodigal rounding out the fieldl

"I broke today and left him along until he was ready," said Velazquez. "At the half-mile pole, I started getting after him and he started catching up to horses. One he caught up to the group, he knew it was time to run."

Jess's Dream, who is by Curlin-Rachel Alexandra, by Medaglia d'Oro, ran the 1-1/8th mile race on a dirt track rate Fast in 1:49.06.

Afterwards, winning trainer Kiaran McLaughlin talked about how special the horse is and how much he means to the fans.

"It wasn't easy to get him (Jess's Dream) to the races. We've had him for a year, but it's taken a year to get him here. It was like a Grade 1. It was pretty special because of who it is, and listening to the fans clap. It's great to win her at Saratoga with this horse because the appreciate him."

Jess's Dream is owned by Stonestreet Stables, which was owned by Jess Jackson, the owner of both Curlin and Rachel Alexandra. He had dreamed of the mating of his two great horses for a long time, but, sadly died in 2011, a year before Jess's Dream was born.

Today, Stonestreet is managed by Jackson's wife, Barbara Banke, who on this day, enjoyed the racing tradition started by her late husband with Jess's Dream.

(Information gathered from EquiBase.com and NYRA.com.)