Even though he was unraced as a rookie, it’s safe to say Jackets Required is a homebred who is more than just a blip on trainer Bob McIntosh’s radar screen

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The three-year-old son of Allamerican Ingot-Eve Of The Ball, who is listed at 48-1 in Trot Magazine's Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book, powered to a career-best clocking of 1:52 in a $17,000 conditioned assignment on Monday evening at Woodbine Racetrack. It was an effort that drew rave reviews from his driver, Randy Waples.

“He’s as impressive to drive as he is to watch race,” said driver Randy Waples. “Bob liked him all winter; he called me and told me about him and he’s a pretty straight-forward guy. If he tells you one is good, they’re good. He’s done everything perfect. The only time he got beat is when I got him caught in traffic; I was a little too far back with and the horse that win that night raced really well and I couldn’t reel him in, he had too much of a jump on me. Other than that he should have three straight wins, he’s pretty nice.”

Jackets Required won his pari-mutuel debut at Windsor Raceway on February 21 in 1:55.3 and then found his way to victory lane at Woodbine Racetrack one week later. The homebred paced the mile in 1:59.4 that night over a track that was listed ‘good” with a three-second allowance for time.

He was a fast-closing runner-up in his third lifetime start on March 8 at Woodbine, and despite getting beat it was an exceptional performance. He closed from far off the pace and used a final-half kick in :55 seconds to pace his own mile in 1:52.2. He missed a scheduled start in the Youthful Pacing Series on March 26 due to sickness, but he qualified in good order at Windsor Raceway prior to Monday’s win – an effort that has Waples convinced the colt shouldn’t be taken lightly.

“He’s good enough for the Pepsi North America Cup, easily,” he added. “It’s not even just the fact that he’s got a flawless gait and big motor, but he loves work. When he’s coming around the turn and you call on him his ears go straight forward. He’s like a big kid out there having fun. It’s a good feeling.”

Jackets Required is owned by Robert McIntosh Stables Inc and Al McIntosh Holdings Inc.

To view Monday’s results, click here.