NYRA/Chelsea Durand
After performing at a high level all year, but having to settle for a string of five second place finishes in stakes races in 2014, including the Grade 1 Forego, Big Business (Eddington) gave his connections a gratifying New Year’s Eve present at Aqueduct on Wednesday with a game victory in a competitive renewal of the $100,000 Alex M. Robb Stakes.
Trained by David Jacobson for Gary Barber, Big Business was last seen taking on the toughest of rivals in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile, where he finished fourth after a three-wide trip. Returning to state-bred company in the Robb and partnered with Fernando Jara for the 1 1/16-mile contest, the 6-year-old chestnut gelding was bet down to 5-2 favoritism.
After getting away well from his inside post and saving ground through the first turn, Big Business set up in a prime stalking position behind pacesetters West Hills Giant and Readthebyline, who vied up front through an opening half-mile in 47.55 and three-quarters in 1:11.74.
Big Business began his bid in earnest at the five-sixteenths marker. He swung out three wide into the lane and in midstretch took over the lead from West Hills Giant, who had finally shaken off his rival.
Big Business was then called upon to hold off a strong late charge from Beautyinthepulpit (5-1), and dug in gamely to secure the victory by a head. Next across the line were West Hills Giant, Effinex, Gridley Here, Awesome Vision, Readthebyline, and Sinistra. The winner’s final time was 1:44.33. [VIDEO]
Proud of his charge’s game victory, Jacobson said, “I think he felt Rudy’s horse [Beautyinthepulpit] coming on in the stretch and he fought on until the finish, that’s the kind of horse he is.”
Added Jacobson, “It was a bit frustrating to keep running and finishing second, but that’s a credit to the competition he faced as well.”
Big Business, who also won two allowance races in 2014, finished second in the Grade 1 Forego, and four state-bred stakes: the Commentator Handicap, Hudson Handicap, Evan Shipman Stakes and John Morrissey Stakes. He has compiled an impressive career record of 11 wins, 10 seconds and five thirds from 33 starts and has earned $763,430.
Bred by Henthorn Racing Inc. and foaled at Pucker Ridge Farm in Warrensburg, Big Business is one of two winners out of Spanish Guitar, a multiple stakes winning Texas-bred mare by Birdonthewire. Henthorn Racing purchased the $119,967-earner for only $12,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Texas yearling sale in 1999.
Offered for sale twice without meeting his reserve, third time around Big Business brought $115,000 as a 2-year-old in training, purchased by Dr. Mikel C. Harrington, agent at the 2010 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale.
Jacobson said he does not have any particular race in mind for his charge’s next start: “[Big Business] surprises me all the time and we take one race at a time to see where he will be run next.”
