Thomas Conway, Sand Dollar Stable and partners’ 3-year-old Jack Spratt overcame the far outside post position in a bulky field of 13 to rally to a half-length victory under jockey Julien Leparoux in Saturday’s $100,000 Dania Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Less than a length separated the first four under the wire in the one mile turf test.

Trained by Mike Maker, Jack Spratt was sent off at a generous 14-1 despite having run a strong third in the Grand Canyon Stakes at Churchill Downs last out on Nov. 29. Each of the next three across the line also went off at double-digit odds with Dogwood Stable’s Lime Rickey second, a nose before Char-Mari Stable’s Beacon Hill Road third and Amaury Piedra’s Adari another head back in fourth.

Jack Spratt paid $30.80 to win and ran the one mile on ‘firm’ turf in 1:35:59.


Winning Jockey Quotes

Julien Leparoux:

"Breaking from the (outside) post I knew the break would be key. He broke good and I was able to settle behind and save ground. We got going around the turn and finished strong the rest of the way. I felt pressure the entire way. It wasn't an easy race. There were definitely a lot of quality horses around me.”

Winning Trainer Quote

Mike Maker:

“I was frowning a little after the draw (outside post 14), but Julien (Leparoux) did a good job of not getting him fanned out too wide. He rides a lot of horses for me and I try not to handcuff him with too many instructions. He kind of inherited the lead when he was up closer in his last start. This helps ... we kind of got off to a slow start at the meet. I picked (Jack Spratt) out at the 2-year-old sales at Timonium (for $100,000 at the Eastern May Sales). He should be ready to come back in the next one (Hallandale Beach Stakes on Feb. 14).”

Fractions:

23:38, 47:64, 1:11:83 & 1:35:59