Jackson Heights scores maiden-breaking victory in Thursday’s Bertram F. Bongard for New York-based sire Union Jackson. NYRA Photo.
Jackson Heights, a son of New York-based second-crop sire Union Jackson, picked the right day to land in the winner’s circle Thursday with a maiden-breaking upset in the $121,250 Bertram F. Bongard Stakes at Belmont at the Big A.
Sent off at 24-1 and the second longest price of the five New York-bred 2-year-olds, Jackson Heights won for the first time in four starts for trainer Orlando Noda and owners Zilla Racing Stables, Black Jack Racing and Acqua Nova Stable. Bred by Sequel Stallions New York – where Union Jackson stands for $2,500 in Hudson – Jackson Heights is out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Queen of The Night.
“[It was] a short field and he was working well on the dirt,” Noda said. “You’ve got to take a chance, even if they’re a maiden.”
Javier Castellano rode Jackson Heights to his 2-length win over pacesetting 4-5 favorite Arctic Arrogance. Castellano was also aboard Jackson Heights in his most recent start, a third-place finish over a sloppy track going 7 furlongs Aug. 26 at Saratoga Race Course. Jackson Heights won the Bongard in 1:26.04.
“When I rode him the first time in Saratoga, it was a sloppy track and he still finished third,” Castellano said. “He kept passing horses, passing horses and I think today the fast track and a little more speed was good for him. I know he was a longshot, but the way he can set it up, I knew he would be a perfect horse to come from behind.”
Arctic Arrogance took the lead after the break, leading the trio of General Banker, Blame It On Daddy and Donegal Surges to the opening quarter-mile in :23.49. Donegal Surges, the 8-5 second choice off a runner-up finish in the Funny Cide Stakes Aug. 26 at Saratoga, applied pressure from there and about a length back heading into the far turn.
Arctic Arrogance and Donegal Surges continued to battle around the far turn, past the half-mile split in :47.31, and separating from the other three. Jackson Heights started his run from last on the turn, passed General Banker and Blame It On Daddy, before running up to the leaders in midstretch.
Jackson Heights collared Arctic Arrogance at the eighth pole – past the 6-furlong mark in 1:12.94 – and drew off from there. Donegal Surges held third, 3 3/4 lengths behind the runner-up. Blame It On Daddy and General Banker completed the field.
“They went quick early, I sat behind and just made one run,” Castellano said. “He never [breaks sharp]. He’s the type of horse you have to leave alone. He doesn’t break well out of the gate. You have to let him settle and come from behind. I didn’t want to rush him and be too close like I did last time. I wanted to break and sit and make one run.”
Jackson Heights is the ninth foal out of Queen of The Night, a half-sister to European champion and multiple Group 1 winner Falbrav. She’s also the dam of winners Heavenly Thought, Master Gunner and Mimina’s Team. Queen of The Night, who is out of the Slewpy mare Gift of the Night, originally sold as a weanling for $850,350 at the 2005 Tattersalls December mixed sale.
Offered as Hip 526 through the Sequel New York consignment at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale, Union Jackson was purchased for $70,000 by Raymie Lightner, agent for Zilla Racing Stables.
Jackson Heights earned $68,750 for the victory to boost his bankroll to $80,288.
Union Jackson topped the New York freshman sire list in 2021 with five winners and progeny earnings of $254,295. He leads the second-crop list in the Empire State this year, with progeny earnings now exceeding $800,000, including more than $120,000 in 2022 from multiple stakes-placed winner Unique Unions.
A 10-year-old son of Curlin out of the Grade 1-winning Dixie Union mare Hot Dixie Chick, Union Jackson won a pair of stakes and six of 11 starts overall for earnings of $273,874.
