By DRF.com
ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 27, 2021) — Undefeated California-bred 2-year-old colt Joker Boy will have his graded stakes debut in Friday’s Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita.
Jockey Boy is by Practical Joke, out of the Dixieland Band mare Bandora and was bred by Premier Thoroughbreds.
The decision was finalized after Joker Boy worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 at Santa Anita on Saturday. Trainer Brian Koriner said the $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes was selected for Joker Boy instead of waiting for the $175,000 Golden State Juvenile for statebreds on Nov. 5 at Del Mar.
“It’s worth the try, and there is nowhere else to run,” Koriner said. “I don’t know if we have anything to lose. I think he’s a pretty good horse.”
Edwin Maldonado has been booked to ride Joker Boy, Koriner said.
The winner of the American Pharoah Stakes receives a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Nov. 5 at Del Mar.
Owned by Rusty Brown, Alan Klein, and Phil Lebherz, Joker Boy is perfect in two starts, both against statebreds at Del Mar – a maiden special weight race at 5 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 7 and the I’m Smokin Stakes at six furlongs by 3 1/2 lengths on Sept. 4.