Roll On Big Joe's Impressive Win Streak Continues with King Cotton Stakes Victory
In a thrilling display of equine prowess, Roll On Big Joe has once again proven his mettle, securing his third consecutive stakes win at the $150,000 King Cotton Stakes at Oaklawn Park on February 8th. But this race was not without its twists and turns, as the original field of nine was reduced to five after four scratches.
Despite the reduced competition, Roll On Big Joe, a gray or roan son of Prospective, remained unfazed. Stalking from the three lane early with jockey Julien Leparoux, he stayed close to the front-runners, Bourbon Bash and Wendelssohn, who set a brisk pace with a quarter-mile time of :22.4. Wendelssohn took the lead at the half-mile mark, posting a time of :45.70.
However, the real drama unfolded as Tejano Twist, a grade 1-placed contender, struggled to gain momentum from the gate, finding himself seven lengths behind early on. But this setback seemed to ignite a fire in the Practical Joke gelding, as he began to close the gap steadily.
Roll On Big Joe, who had previously triumphed in the Ring The Bell Stakes over the same 6-furlong distance, made his move near the top of the lane, overtaking the leaders as the field approached the stretch. He posted a fraction of :57.64, showcasing his exceptional speed and determination.
Jockey Francisco Arrieta had Tejano Twist charging hard from the outside, but the 6-year-old Roll On Big Joe couldn't be shaken off. Picking off Wendelssohn with a sixteenth to go, Tejano Twist closed in on Roll On Big Joe, but it was too late. Roll On Big Joe held on to secure the win in 1:09.44, fending off his late challenger by a half length.
Trainer Bob Hess Jr. attributed Roll On Big Joe's success to his unwavering determination, stating, 'He has a big heart.' Owned by a consortium of partners, including Rancho Temescal, White Fence, and Richard Hale Jr., Roll On Big Joe has now improved to 10-6-1 from 23 starts and $841,925 in career earnings. Bred in Florida by Max Ubide, he was purchased for $90,000 at the 2022 Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's June 2-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age Sale.
As for his next race, Hess plans to give Roll On Big Joe more time to recover before targeting the April 11 $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn. This victory marks a significant milestone for Roll On Big Joe, who has now achieved a rare three-stakes win streak, leaving fans eagerly anticipating his future performances.
