BALTIMORE, Md. – Wednesday was a day of rest after a night of travel for Calumet Farm’s Happy Jack.
After vanning from Churchill Downs in Louisville to Pimlico Race Course overnight, Happy Jack was more than happy just to chill in his stall at Barn D, away from the Stakes Barn. That’s where he will be for the days leading up to Saturday’s 147th running of the Preakness Stakes (G1).
Happy Jack, who is 30-1 in the Preakness morning line, arrived at Pimlico at 4 a.m. Wednesday after leaving Churchill at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Included in the travel party was Sabas Rivera, a barn foreman for trainer Doug O’Neill.
“He is tired right now,” Rivera said. “He is taking a little siesta. He is a good shipper. He doesn’t really care about anything. It doesn’t bother him if he’s here or there. Just nice and quiet.”
Happy Jack was laying down in Stall 14, getting the day off after his long trip. Rivera said the Calumet homebred will hit the Pimlico track Thursday morning at about 6:30.
Rivera admitted he was a little tired himself and a nap was definitely in his future Wednesday afternoon.
Happy Jack is one of three horses running in the Preakness that competed in the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 7. He was 14th in the Run for the Roses, his fourth straight loss since breaking his maiden Jan. 22 at Santa Anita. The Derby was the first race for the colt outside of California.
In the Preakness, trainer Doug O’Neill will put the blinkers back on Happy Jack. He had worn them in three of his first four starts before O’Neill took them off for the Derby.
O’Neill said he is scheduled to fly to Baltimore from California Wednesday night and will be at the barn some time Thursday afternoon.
Maryland Jockey Club Press Release
Photo: Happy Jack wins an MSW at Santa Anita. (Benoit Photos)
