Jaipur Stakes 2021 Results: Casa Creed stuns favorite Bound for Nowhere

The Grade I Jaipur didn't exactly excite our in-house handicapper when he handicapped the race on Friday as part of his Belmont Park Picks column:

While nominally a part of the cavalcade of G1 events on this card, the ragtag crew assembled in the Jaipur doesn’t really deserve that distinction, save perhaps Bound for Nowhere (#6), who I believe is a standout. Not only is Bound for Nowhere a cut above his Jaipur counterparts in terms of class, but there’s also shockingly little early speed signed on for this six-furlong turf dash, which he can take full advantage of. He’s not the easiest horse to trust given the plethora of layoff lines in his PP’s, but when Wesley Ward has him right he’s unquestionably one of the best turf sprinters in the country. As Ward is connecting at an other-worldly 42% at the meet, I’m expecting another top effort from Bound for Nowhere.

Our turf-man agreed he was the class of the field but didn't like the short price so went elsewhere.

I cannot say I like the short price … so, looking elsewhere is requisite. My alternative to Ward’s ace is to back Peter Miller’s Sombeyay #12. Aboard is Rosario’s old grass sprinting foe from SoCal, Flavien Prat. This grass mower has some excellent class to him, and I like the effort last time in the Turf Sprint (G2) back at Churchill on the Oaks undercard. Prat is as hot as ever in the saddle, and I expect him to vie for an enormous day at “Big Sandy.”

I am a sucker for Into Mischief offspring so on a single ticket - Sombeyay was my play but if you were playing the Pick-6 - you can't not have Bound for Nowhere on your ticket.

The big question was whether Bound for Nowhere could get a good break. If he could then it was surely game over and as they left the starting gate - he went clear and was up front alongside Gregorian Chant and Sombeyay. It was all looking good until the final furlong when Casa Creed found closing speed wide and was able to stun everyone and take the lead. Junior Alvarado rode a fine race and the big time favorite couldn't even hold on for second - with Chewing Gum beating him at the line. That 2-1 exacta paid out a whopping $167.75