El Paso owned Jackie's Warrior returns to racetrack in the Count Fleet Handicap at Oaklawn Park
Jackie's Warrior, who won the Eclipse Award for Champion Male Sprinter in 2021, returns to racing on April 16 at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
The 4-year-old will run in the Grade III, $500,000 Count Fleet Handicap. The race, which will be contested at six furlongs, is race No. 11 and will start at 4:42 p.m. mountain time.
Jackie's Warrior is owned by El Paso's Judy and Kirk Robison.
"He has not run since the Breeders' Cup in November and he had a chip removed from a front knee after that tough race. He is fully recovered and is working well," Kirk Robison said. "He has had some bullet works for his return. Has to start somewhere. Our goal is to win the Breeders' Cup sprint later this year at Keeneland. He has a target on his back. He is a once in a lifetime horse. Very grateful to have him."
Steve Asmussen trains Jackie's Warrior and jockey Joel Rosario will once again ride. Jackie's Warrior will face five rivals in the race, Mojo Man, Chipofftheoldblock, Letsgetlucky, Empire of Gold, Bob's Edge. There are three 4-year-olds, two 5-year-olds and one 7-year-old in the race.
Jackie's Warrior, purchased for $95,000 at the 2019 Keeneland Yearling Sale, won four graded stakes races in 2021 and also finished second and third in two other races, earning more than $1 million. In 2020, he competed in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile as a 2-year-old.
Among Jackie Warrior's top wins in 2021 were the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes and the Pat Day Mile.
More: Jackie's Warrior wins Eclipse Award as top sprinter
Felix F. Chavez may be reached at 915-546-6167; fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso owned Jackie's Warrior returns to racetrack at Oaklawn Park
