BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Florida-bred Roll On Big Joe jumped out on top then led at every pole on his way to a four-length victory in the $100,000 Palos Verdes (Grade 3) at Santa Anita Saturday. It was the first career stakes victory for the Bob Hess Jr. trainee, who had finished second to next-out Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1)-winner Straight No Chaser in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship in his only other start against added-money horses.

Ridden to victory by regular rider Umberto Rispoli, Roll On Big Joe was momentarily passed by For All Man Kind to his outside early but regained the lead before passing the three-eighths pole. With little urging from Rispoli, Roll On Big Joe was a half-length in front after a quarter mile in :22.40 then extended his lead to a length turning for home after a half-mile in :44.16. Rispoli only had to shake the reins at Roll on Big Joe at the top of the stretch as the 5-year-old gelding eagerly pulled away from his rivals and won with ease in 1:08.60 on the fast track. For All Man Kind was second, three-quarters of a length faster than Bartholdy in third. Mbagnick (GB) was fourth with Anarchist last. Big City Lights was scratched.

“He broke sharp like he does always and the key with him is to not fight him. Once you fight him, he gets upset and likes to drift out.” Rispoli said. “But today he was really relaxed with me. At the three-eighths pole, he pointed his ears and I said ‘okay we look in good shape.’ For All Man Kind tried to go with him on the outside, but if I can get him to relax on the lead on the dirt, it changes a lot of things. 

“He’s improving with every race and Bob [Hess] is doing a great job with him. Who knows how good he can be.”

Roll On Big Joe paid $6 to win.

 

It was the second consecutive win for Roll On Big Joe after taking a second condition, $80,000 optional claiming going six-and-a-half furlongs at Santa Anita on Jan. 3. He had two solid races sprinting against higher condition optional claimers after the Santa Anita Sprint Championship in September, finishing third behind winner Manitowish at the $80,000 level going six-and-a-half furlongs on Oct. 27 and second to Fort Bragg going six furlongs on Dec. 1, both at Santa Anita.

Roll On Big Joe improved to five wins in 15 starts with five seconds and a third and the $60,000 first-place check increased his career earnings to $298,580 for owner Tim Cohen’s Rancho Temescal LLC, David Marabella’s White Fence LLC and Richard Hale Jr.

“The owners were patient with [Roll On Big Joe] when he was young and allowed him to go through some growing pains,” Hess said. “I think he’s improving.

“Rancho Temescal and the Cohen family has been great for the industry for 50 years. Then we brought in Dick Hale, who I’ve worked for for 35 years, and David Marabella, who I’ve worked for for 30 years. It’s very satisfying for me, more for the people involved.”

Rancho Temescal purchased Roll On Big Joe for $90,000 out of the Gayle Woods consignment at Ocala Breeders’ Sales during the 2022 June Sale.
(Roll On Big Joe’s Under Tack Video)

Roll On Big Joe is by Prospective out of Nina’s Gift, by Victory Gallop and was bred in Florida by Max Ubide. He is the first stakes winner for Nina’s Gift, who has five winners from five starters and six foals.

Return to the February 15 issue of Wire to Wire