Mr. Buff Threepeats in Jazil

OZONE PARK, NY – Aqueduct and NYRA may someday consider renaming Saturday’s feature race after Chester and Mary Broman homebred Mr. Buff threepeated victory in $100,000 Jazil Stakes.

Mr. Buff sprung from post 4 under Kendrick Carmouche as the 2/1 second choice and outlegged all but Musical Heart for the lead, who posted opening fractions of :23.96, :48.95, and 1:13.99.

Mr. Buff ranged up at the 1/2-mile pole and took an effortless lead that he extended in the stretch under mild urging.

The John Kimmel trainee crossed 7 lengths clear, completing the 1 1/8-mile fast dirt route in 1:53.47.

“He broke really good,” Carmouche said. “Mr. Kimmel said to do what I think is best in the race. ‘If they don’t break, go. If they want to go, you can sit.’ I just sat on him all the way around there. He does it all on his own. You just have to stay out of his way and let him get into his stride.”

Tenderfoot outkicked Musical Heart for second by 1 3/4 lengths.

The 9/5 favorite Backsideofthemoon broke poorly from the outside post and never factored into the race, eventually finishing fourth ahead of only the longshot Fame to Famous.

Mr. Buff’s win was his third straight in the Jazil and improved the 7-year-old gelding’s record to 43-16-8-4 with $1,295,786 earned. Mr. Buff is a son of Friend or Foe out of the Speightstown mare Speightful Affair, who narrowly lost the Comely Stakes (G3) over this course in 2010.

“I think he’s the winningest horse I’ve ever had,” Kimmel said. “He’s settled more and more. He’s just a very good and sound horse. He’s stayed very healthy all through the years. That’s the key with these horses; to keep them sound and healthy.”

Mr. Buff returned $6.10 to win and $3.60 to place, while Tenderfoot paid $4.30 to place. There was no show betting.