Pappacap begins season 3 years old in Lecomte

news7g01/18/2022

2 3 minutes read

Pappacap begins season 3 years old in Lecomte

Coach Mark Casse doesn’t like playing catch, especially with a 3-year-old.

So, by the time the other top four finishers in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Championship presented by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) have yet to begin their 3-year campaign, Casse will have the title. runner-up position above them. Pappacap .

Following the path he took with the winner of 2019 Preakness Stakes (G1) War of Wills , Casse will send the purebred Pappacap of Rustlewood Ranch to face the winning bet Epicenter and seven other competitors on January 22 for $200,000 Lecomte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds & Slots.

“I’d rather run my 3-year-old,” the Hall of Fame coach said of being on the 2nd grade winning team in the 3-year-old 1/16-mile race. “We run these horses in the fall and then we give them a break and then you’ll play catch. I don’t want to play catch because if you’re a little slow you’ll get in trouble. tangled.”

A member of the excellent first crop from a stallion Gunman , Pappacap finished second twice with the possibility of being a 2 year old champion Corniche In a promising and productive junior season, he currently tops the Leaderboard in the Road to Kentucky Derby series presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) with 12 points.

Registration for BloodHorse daily

The Florida hybrid raced five times in 2nd place, including three starting in 1st grade and winning the Best Pal Stakes (G2) at Del Mar. His best efforts, however, were probably during his two tries by about two turns when he was second 3 1/4 lengths to Corniche in American Pharoah Stakes (G1) and when he lost Runner trained by Bob Baffert in the Juvenile 1 3/4 length race. .

“I think he’s had an even better two-year season than he looks,” Casse said. “I try to get into races and I think that’s going to be very important in the making.”

After running in the Minors on November 5, Pappacap took a few weeks off and recorded his first work on December 10. He booked four works at the Fair Grounds in preparation for the show. eyes in 2022 and looks set to hit Saturday’s race in top condition.

“We’re definitely excited about taking him,” Casse said. “He’s doing really well. I think he’s matured and he’s a much better horse than he was in the fall. I don’t think you can ask him to train any better.”

Although the product of the mare Scat Daddy Pappascat raced four times on the West Coast last year, Casse chose a familiar route for her foal’s travels through the Triple Crown preps.

Casse, who won the 2020 and 2019 editions of Lecomte, said: “I got pretty lucky at the Fair Grounds. “We have (assistant trainer) David Carroll there and I think it’s a good place. It suits him. He’s a horse that wants a little bit of stability and that track will suit him. me.”

Casse said Pappacap will likely stay at the Fair Grounds for the February 19 Easter Star Stocks presented by Lamarque Ford (G2) and TwinSpires.com March 26 Louisiana Derby (G2) to complete the work. prepare for what will hopefully be the start in the Run for the Roses.

Pappacap is the third pony to race from Pappascat and her third winner. She also has a 2 year old kid Bolt d’Oro the foal was acquired by John Oxley and Breeze Easy for $190,000 from Summerfield consignment at the 2021 Keeneland Sale September and a longing Omaha . Beach pony.

Although Lecomte only gave 17 points to the top four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 scale, a win would have more significance for Pappacap. If he takes the top prize, it will give him 22 points, which is good for 18th place out of 20 entrants in the Race for the Roses 2021.

Pappacap’s main rival on Saturday, Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Epicenter, there were 10 of them after winning Gun Runners Stock on December 26 at Fair Grounds.