The final Saturday racing card of the 2013 Saratoga meet will be held tomorrow, and -- fittingly -- it will contain two of the best races of the meet; the $750,000 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) and the $500,000 Forego Stakes (gr. I). Both races have drawn deep, competitive fields, and should certainly be interesting from a handicapping perspective. But for many racing fans, the highlight of the day will not be handicapping these star-studded events -- it will be simply watching Paynter and Jackson Bend compete against all odds.
The stories of both horses have been well-documented during the last year. Paynter's battles with two life-threatening illnesses were remarkable not just because he recovered -- a miracle in and of itself -- but because he actually made it back to the races, an unprecedented outcome that would have been completely inconceivable one year ago. Yet here he is, about to make the third start of his comeback campaign, and favored against a top-notch Woodward field that includes Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) winner Ron the Greek, two-time Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) winner Flat Out, Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner Alpha, Whitney Handicap (gr. I) runner-up Successful Dan, and Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) runner-up Mucho Macho Man.
The presence of Jackson Bend in the Forego Stakes is equally remarkable. The now six-year-old veteran won the Forego in 2011, but suffered a frightening training accident in 2012 when a loose horse ran into him with such force that Jackson Bend was knocked to the ground, seemingly lifeless. But after a few minutes later, he got up -- none the worse for wear.
Well, not quite. Although Jackson Bend suffered no obvious injuries, outside of a swollen and sore back, his next start yielded a dull last-place finish in the 2012 Forego, after which his connections chose to retire him. Whether due to lingering effects of the accident, or from the mental shock of it, Jackson Bend just didn't seem to care for racing anymore.
Things changed during the winter. After Jackson Bend was deemed unsuitable for breeding due to the lingering effects of his accident, the stallion began a light exercise program, which progressed to the point where his zeal for running suddenly returned.
So what do you do with a stallion that wants to train and can't be bred? Why, you return him to the races!
Jackson Bend made his return in June of this year, finishing an even fifth in the Ponche Handicap at Calder Race Course. This was followed by an exceptional third-place finish in the prestigious Smile Sprint Handicap (gr. II), in which Jackson Bend missed second place by just a nose to 2012 Breeders' Cup Sprint champion Trinniberg.
His most recent start yielded another third-place finish, this time in the Housebuster Stakes at Gulfstream Park. As a result, Jackson Bend is going to be a bit of a longshot in the Forego. He has not won a race since April 2012, his last effort was fairly unremarkable, and he will be facing some very good sprinters on Saturday, including Fast Bullet, Justin Phillip, and Sage Valley. But the simple fact that Jackson Bend is entered in the race makes this year's edition of the Forego extra special.
Win or lose, it doesn't matter. Paynter and Jackson Bend are already winners just for being here, and even if they both finish last, it will do nothing to dampen the spirits of those who appreciate just the chance to see these horses race again.
-Keelerman
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