Happy Jack

STRENGTHS: He has a decent late kick, closing ground in a couple of recent tries, including the Santa Anita Derby two starts back. He found himself far off the pace in the Kentucky Derby, likely a result of trainer Doug O’Neill removing the blinkers in an attempt to get him to relax more in the opening stages, given the projected pace of the race. He now adds blinkers again, as O’Neill wants him to be more involved early once again, as there’s not a lot of speed in this race, and he should be much closer to the leaders down the backstretch. O’Neill won this race in 2012 with I’ll Have Another.

WEAKNESSES: He was no threat in the Kentucky Derby despite an extremely favorable race flow. He has never posted a Beyer that’s good enough to make him a threat in this Preakness, and – unlike Rich Strike in the Derby – he doesn’t figure to take a big step forward in that regard in the Preakness, as he isn’t likely to have the pace scenario in his favor. His lone win came in a six-furlong maiden race in his debut, and he’s been beaten double-digit lengths in all of his subsequent starts.

BETTING VALUE: Will likely be one of the longest prices on the board, but despite those enticing odds he is tough to use given his running style, as he doesn’t figure to get fractions even close to what we saw in the Derby, making it tough to expect him to make an impact late.

– Kenny Peck

SIRE: Oxbow is by Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Awesome Again, and out of a full sister to two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Tiznow. He lived up to that route breeding by winning the 2013 Preakness and finishing second in the Belmont. His 11 stakes winners are led by Grade 1 winner Hot Rod Charlie, who crossed the line third in last year’s Kentucky Derby before finishing a hard-fought second to champion Essential Quality in the Belmont. Oxbow is also the sire of Gulfstream Park Oaks winner Coach Rocks.

DAM: Tapitstry is the dam of three winners from as many starters. Santa Anita Derby third-place finisher Happy Jack is a full brother to Toe Tappin Luke, who has won at up to a mile. Their halfbrother Chest Candy is also a winner at a mile. This is the family of the stellar turf mare Noble Damsel, and of Grade 1-winning sprinter Marley’s Freedom.

OUTLOOK: Oxbow has quickly proven a reliable source of stamina in keeping with the history of his pedigree. His presence will serve Happy Jack well as he attempts to emulate his sire’s feat of winning the Preakness after finishing off the board in the Derby. This female family is eclectic, but not necessarily sprint-oriented.

– Nicole Russo