With a third in the 2012 Dubai Sheema Classic, behind Cirrus Des Aigles and St. Nicholas Abbey, Jakkalberry is a deserving heavy favourite in the inaugural running of the $400,000 American St. Leger (Listed). The Marco Botti trainee also ran third behind eventual Dubai Gold Cup (G3) winner Opinion Poll and the ill-fated Fox Hunt. Colm O’Donoghue rides for members of the Australian TB Bloodstock, who are reportedly making the trip to Chicago for the race. John Gosden trainee Zuider Zee, owned by HRH Princess Haya, is second-choice, followed by a cadre of local talent that seems wildly overmatched. Ioya Bigtime won the local prep for this race, run at 1 mile 5.5 furlongs on Arlington’s turf, and was a 44-1 shocker in that race.
1. Vertiformer 10-1 (likely to scratch)
Trainer: Wayne Catalano, Jockey: Julien Leparoux
2. Helicopter 30-1
Trainer: Larry Rivelli, Jockey: Brandon Meier
3. Lemonade Kid 30-1
Trainer: Anthony Mitchell, Jockey: Francisco Torres
4. Lumberyard Jack 30-1
Trainer: Doug O’Neill, Jockey: Mario Gutierrez
5. Lake Drop 8-1
Trainer: Graham Motion, Jockey: Ramon Dominguez
6. Suntracer 6-1
Trainer: Chris Block, Jockey: Eduardo Perez
7. SCRATCHED
8. Jakkalberry 9-5
Trainer: Marco Botti, Jockey: Colm O’Donoghue
9. Lethal 30-1
Trainer: John Haran, Jockey: Julio Felix
10. Zuider Zee 5-1
Trainer: John Gosden, Jockey: William Buick
11. Ioya Bigtime 9-2
Trainer: Chris Block, Jockey: Jeffrey Sanchez
12. Bridge of Gold 15-1
Trainer: Mikael Magnusson, Jockey: Kieran Fallon