—Jan 6— McKinzie shook free from My Boy Jack and Shivermetimbers leaving the turn and drew out to a comfortable two-and-a-half length win in the 18th running of the Grade III Sham Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday.
Equipped with blinkers for the first time, the talented Street Sense colt put in workman-like effort; except for the moment heading into the stretch when My Boy Jack and Shivermetimbers drew to even terms, the race was never seriously in doubt.
McKinzie is expected to make his next start in the $400,000 Grade II San Felipe stakes here in March.
Aside from McKinzie, one of the more interesting stories entering the race was My Boy Jack, who finished second, a neck in front of Shivermetimbers. A $20,000 yearling who competed mostly on the grass as a juvenile, My Boy Jack was a somewhat surprising entrant in the race, but trainer Keith Desormeaux decided to take a chance and run him on the dirt.
“It’s a sheer gamble to see if My Boy Jack is worth his weight on the faster dirt surface, but this is the time of the year to figure that out,” Desormeaux said before the race.
It was a gamble that seemed to pay-off. By all accounts, Desormeaux was pleased with his colt’s effort. Plans are for My Boy Jack to remain on the Derby trail with his next start most likely coming in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park in February.
Jerry Hollendorfer, the trainer of the third-place finisher, Shivermetimbers, seemed pleased with his horse’s performance as well, suggesting he would likely target the Robert B. Lewis here in early February for his colt’s next start. All Out Blitz finished fourth, a length behind Shivermetimbers, and was followed by Mourinho and Lombo.
Retro Horse Racing Game 