'Chief' Allen Jerkens Looking Forward to Spa Meet

The horse Jerkens credits with his first major wins at Saratoga is Admiral Vee. A $7,500 claim, the son of War Admiral won the Merchants' and Citizens' Handicap (1957) and the Saratoga Handicap (1958) at the racecourse for owner Edward Seinfeld.
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In 1946 Stymie won the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga Racecourse, Saratoga Springs, NY. During the same summer Natchez won the Travers Stakes and a seventeen-year old H. Allen Jerkens made his first trip to Saratoga for a few days. He was back in 1948 to run his father's horses, including Crack Time. "We bought him for $400 and he did well for us. Crack Time didn't win any stakes, but he did win quite a few races," remembers Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens.

The horse Jerkens credits with his first major wins at Saratoga is Admiral Vee. A $7,500 claim, the son of War Admiral won the Merchants' and Citizens' Handicap (1957) and the Saratoga Handicap (1958) at the racecourse for owner Edward Seinfeld.

Skipping forward 54 years, Jerkens has alighted at the Spa for the 2012 meet. He is back in his spot at Clare Court, tucked away in a corner of the main track's backstretch. The Congrats filly Emma's Encore is on his mind, "Well, Emma's Encore ran and won a big race (the Victory Ride Stakes, Gr.-3, Belmont). She finished nice and strong. That filly ran much better than she did before. We thought she could run; most of her races have been good. I think we'll run her in the Prioress next to see if she can do something. We'll go from there."

One Saratoga race has eluded Jerkens, The Travers Stakes. "Any race you win at Saratoga is a good win. For some reason, in my mind, the Travers is the most important race in America. It evens means more for me than the Derby, which is ridiculous. My son Jimmy won it three years ago with Afleet Express. The closest I've come to winning the Travers is second with Devil His Due. That's one I'd be very happy if I could win," Jerkens concluded.

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