4 days ago
Roll On Big Joe Hangs Tough In Kelly's Landing
Roll On Big Joe Hangs Tough In Kelly's Landing originally appeared on Paulick Report.
Roll On Big Joe followed his last-out allowance win at Churchill Downs with a rousing victory in the $250,000 Kelly's Landing (G3) Saturday at the Louisville track.
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The 5-year-old Florida-bred Prospective gelding pressed Booth through the opening stages of the 6 1/2-furlong test, drew event with the favorite at the top of the stretch, then edged to the lead with a full head of steam under Julien Leparoux. He had to dig in through the final sixteenth, however, as Antonio Fresu drove Dr. Venkman through a seam to menace to his inside while Booth faded but had stamina in reserve to prevail by about a half length. Durante was third.
Roll On Big Joe finished the trip in 1:15.22 in scoring his second graded stakes victory following triumph in the Palos Verdes (G3) in February at Santa Anita. Saturday's win was his fourth from five outings this year for trainer Robert Hess and seventh from 18 overall. In his only other stakes start he was second to eventual Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner Straight No Chaser in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2) last September. He entered the Kelly's Landing following a strong win going the same distance with Leparoux aboard May 15 at the Louisville track.
Campaigned by Tim Cohen's Rancho Temescal LLC, White Fence LLC, and Richard Hale Jr., Roll On Big Joe ($11.90) was bred by Max Ubide from the Victory Gallop mare Nina's Gift. Cohen purchased him for $90,000 at the OBS June Two-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age Sale, where he was offered by consignor Gayle Woods.
Saturday's triumph was worth $120,280 and increased Roll On Big Joe's bankroll to $494,400.
This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
