Roll On Big Joe is doing just that—rolling on—as he conquered the $150,000 King Cotton Stakes at Oaklawn Park Feb. 8, and with it, notched his first three-stakes win streak.
The 6-furlong race was originally slated as a field of nine. But with four scratches, the depth of competition was significantly reduced.
That mattered little to gray or roan son of Prospective.
Stalking from the three lane early with jockey Julien Leparoux up, Roll On Big Joe didn't need to put his best foot forward as he stayed close to Bourbon Bash and Wendelssohn, who posted a fraction time of :22.4 for the opening quarter-mile. Wendelssohn led at the half-mile with a fractional time of :45.70.
Meanwhile, grade 1-placed Tejano Twist, who didn't get as good of a jump out of the gate, found himself seven lengths back after that initial point of call. But that seemed to provide a spark as the Practical Joke gelding began to whittle away at the gap in front of him.
Roll On Big Joe, who had previously won the Ring The Bell Stakes over the same 6-furlong distance at the Hot Springs, Ark., track, inched forward to challenge the leaders near the top of the lane, overtaking them as the field marched down the stretch. He posted a fraction of :57.64.
Jockey Francisco Arrieta had Tejano Twist charging hard from the four path. For as much distance as Roll On Big Joe was putting between himself and Bourbon Bash and Wendelssohn, the 6-year-old could not quite shake his late-to-the-party rival.
Picking off Wendelssohn to move into second with a sixteenth to go, Tejano Twist had Roll On Big Joe in his sights by a half length.
But Roll On Big Joe, who defeated third-place Tejano Twist in the Ring The Bell, had enough to fend off his foe to secure the win in 1:09.44.
"Big Heart," trainer Bob Hess Jr., told FanDuel TV. "He broke maybe a little awkwardly. Maybe he wasn't as keen today; could've been the layoff with almost no works for like 20 days. He's got a big heart."
Owned by Rancho Temescal, Rancho Temescal Thoroughbred Partners, White Fence, and Richard Hale Jr., Roll On Big Joe improves to 10-6-1 from 23 starts and $841,925 in career earnings. He was bred in Florida by Max Ubide.
Roll On Big Joe paid $3.40 as the 3-5 favorite. Tejano Twist was a half-length back in second and Wendelssohn was a further 1 1/2 lengths back in third.
As for what is next for his pupil, Hess said he will likely give him more time before his next race, which he hopes is the April 11 $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn.
Roll On Big Joe was a $90,000 purchase by Rancho Temescal at the 2022 Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's June 2-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age Sale out of Gayle Woods' consignment.
