Wood Island the first stakes winner for freshman sire Jackie’s Warrior

Wood Island’s superlative performance in the Aug. 27 Skidmore S. at Saratoga ran the record of the 2-year-old Jackie’s Warrior colt to a perfect two-for-two, as well as give his sire his first stakes winner.

With seven individual winners and nearly $750,000 in progeny earnings to date, Jackie’s Warrior is third on the 2026 First-Crop sire list.

Wood Island set the tone immediately with an ultra-fast start out of the gate, carving out fractions of :22.12 and :45.15 while under a snug hold. Let loose at the top of the stretch, he bounded away from the field to win by three lengths in 1:02.36 for the 5 ½-furlongs on firm turf.

“When he ran first time out (in an off-the-turf race July 31), originally I thought I’m not running – this horse is so much better on the grass, I don’t want to run him,” trainer George Weaver said. “I only did it because I knew he was quick, and the race looked a little weak on paper, so I took a shot. He showed what he is on the weeds today – he’s very good.”

Weaver indicated that Wood Island would try and get to the Breeders’ Cup, potentially via the Futurity S. (G3) at Belmont Oct. 3.

Wood Island is owned by Smart Choice Stable and sold most recently for $250,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Spring 2-year-old sale in May. The bay colt was bred in Kentucky by Machmer Hall and is from the same family as three-time Grade 1 winner Peace Rules.