BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Mark Norman and Norman Stables’ lightly raced Cruisin Chuck will be in search of his first career victory as the Florida-bred colt jumps into stakes company Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park in the $100,000 Bob Bork Turf Mile for 3-year-olds.

Trainer Justin Jeansonne has seen the bay son of the late Uncle Chuck produce two solid efforts in two starts, both against special weight maidens going a mile on the grass at Fair Grounds. He was just missed by a half-length behind winner and Bob Bork Turf-rival Aces Honor when third last out on December 30, making up a length from third at the top of the stretch. In his first race, Cruisin Chuck came from ninth of 12 and more than six lengths back to finish second by a half-length to winner Beekman Street on November 27. He has earned $16,850 in his two starts.

Cruisin Chuck is out of Mandolin, by Midnight Lute and was bred in Florida by Belvedere Farm. He is a half-brother to Navy Goat, a Florida-bred daughter of Army Mule and winner against Florida-breds in the $60,000 Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Gulfstream Park in 2022; and stakes-placed Florida-bred Bailintin, by Girvin.

Cruisin Chuck is a two-time graduate of Ocala Breeders’ Sales where Norman took him for $40,000 out of the New Way consignment during last year’s June Sale of 2-year-olds in training and horses of racing age. He sold for $10,000 to Carlos Zamora as a yearling during the 2024 OBS October Sale where he was consigned by Boutte Sales.

Deshawn Parker has the mount on Cruisin Chuck from the inside post in the field of seven and they are 7-2 on the morning line.

Cherie DeVaux trains Remember Mamba, the 9-5 morning line favorite who is undefeated in two starts, including a three-and-a-quarter-length winner of a non-winners of two, $125,000 optional claiming going a mile on the turf at Fair Grounds on January 22.

The bay son of Kitten’s Joy is owned by C R K Stable and will be ridden from post two by Mirco Demuro.

Rounding out the Bob Bork Turf Mile entries are Bohemian and jockey Ben Curtis, Ramon Vazquez has the call on Casa Cielo, Lane Luzzi will guide Aces Honor, Essential Time will have Weston Hamilton up and The Cajun Gatsby will be have Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez riding.

Return to the January 23 issue of Wire to Wire