Retired Racehorse Training Project’s 100 Day Thoroughbred Challenge: Suave Jazz

On December 1, 2012, four horses (including one former Eclipse Champion) representing four Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred farms embarked on the Retired Racehorse Training Project’s (RRTP) 100 Day Thoroughbred Challenge at Dodon Farm Training Center in Davidsonville, MD. Fans will have the opportunity to see the horses in person at the Maryland Horse World Expo in January and the Pennsylvania Horse World Expo the following month. At the end of their 100-day training period, the horses will be judged on conformation, movement, jumping ability, and trainability by guest riders, judges, and online fans. As the Thoroughbred Challenge unfolds, Sarah Andrew will chronicle the horses’ progress. Please enjoy part 5 of this series.

Suave Jazz 

Representing: Walnut Green Farm 

“The Professor”

Suave Prospect – Cavite Starlet, by Jazzing Around

$24,000 RNA HRA 2005 OBSAPR

70-17-16-12

$651,062

Breeder: Farnsworth Farms (FL)

Owner: New England Stallion Station

It's almost here! On Friday, all four RRTP 100 Day Challenge horses will head to Timonium for the Maryland Horse World Expo. You can click here for directions, schedules, and more information about the Expo, and click here to find out when you can see the RRTP horses.  

Last but certainly not least in my horse profiles is Suave Jazz. In his 70 lifetime starts, Suave Jazz saw a lot. He placed in multiple graded stakes, overcame traffic (click here for video of his win in the Fire Plug S. almost exactly four years ago), and professionally outgamed the field (click here for his last win at Calder) many times. Based on his clean legs and long career, he carries some great genes.

When he arrived at Dodon Farm for training, he was easily the horse with the most experience under saddle. In addition to all the tracks he visited and all the races he ran, think of how many miles he put in during training hours in the morning and how many riders he carried. This is why Steuart was able to take him out with the Marlborough Hunt Club within the first month of training (click here for Week 2's training blog). In addition to his natural intelligence, good nature, and trainability, all the time on the track exposed Suave Jazz to quite a bit, so he handles strange surroundings quite well. The Professor is wise beyond his years.

Both in the video (click here) and Training Blog (click here) for his first day of training, it is apparent that the goal for a horse like Suave Jazz is to loosen his topline and help him learn to use different muscle groups from his racing muscles. By Week 2 (video), he is already getting the hang of bending exercises and is learning how to balance himself as a riding horse instead of a racehorse. It will take many hours of stretching and suppling to loosen his back and help him find his "new" trot and canter, but he is well on his way. By Day 30 (video), there is more improvement in his gaits, and his work over little fences is off to a nice start.

Over fences, Suave Jazz is willing, clever, and handy. His jump is flatter and not quite as extravagant as the jumps of his classmates Declan's Moon and Alluring Punch, but he has a tidy front end and loads of power in the hind end, indicating that his athletic potential is great. The quality flatwork schooling that he is receiving from Steuart and Michelle will not only improve his way of going on the flat, but will also encourage him to round and bascule over jumps.

One of my favorite things about the selection of horses in this year's challenge is how varied the horses' careers were at the track. The horses all had different campaigns, as well as varying amounts of time off the track. For people who (like myself) who own Thoroughbreds, they can probably see a little of their own horses in each of the 100 Day Challenge horses.

I'm looking forward to seeing the whole gang again at the Expo: The Natural, The Overachiever, The Kid, and The Professor.