Scat Daddy Filly Pulls Shocker in William Walker; Bulletin 4th

[Wandering Eyes]

JO JO AIR (f, 3, Scat Daddy–Tessie Flip, by Grand Slam) took it to heavily-favored Bulletin (City Zip) from the get-go and proved best in the lane to pull off the upset in Saturday’s William Walker S. on opening night at Churchill. Fourth on debut as the favorite last August at Saratoga, the dark bay finished last of 12 against males in the Indian Summer S. Oct. 7 before breaking her maiden emphatically Nov. 18 at Fair Grounds. Filling out the superfecta in a Gulfstream optional claimer when last seen Jan. 11, the $325,000 Keeneland September graduate was let go as the distant fourth choice here as the money poured in on undefeated Breeders’ Cup winner Bulletin. The favorite broke like a rocket from his rail draw, but it soon became apparent there would be no free ride on the lead, as Jo Jo Air showed sharp speed as well and pressed hard through a :22.76 quarter. Under urging through much of the race, the major red flag for Bulletin went up on the latter half of the turn, as Javier Castellano was resorting to the whip before heads pointed for home. Bulletin put up a bit of a fight, but Jo Jo Air always seemed to be going better of the two and took charge by the furlong grounds. Uncapped launched a strong bid from last to get up into second, but Jo Jo Air’s work was done by then and she held by a comfortable length on the wire. Legends of War nailed Bulletin late for third. The winner’s dam, a half-sister to MGISW Switch (Quiet American), is responsible for a juvenile Uncle Mo filly who sold for $425,000 to Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds at KEESEP, and a yearling colt by American Pharoah. She was bred to Practical Joke last term. Lifetime Record: 5-2-0-0, $105,671. O-Andrew Farm & Mrs. Charlie O’Connor; B-G Duignan, Crosshaven Bloodstock & Petaluma Bloodstock (KY); T-Wesley A. Ward.

View the full article