Horse Racing News is the source of thoroughbred racing information with horse racing odds, betting tips, racing picks, race results, and handicapping. Latest news and articles on top horse racing contenders, jockeys, trainers, three-year-olds, race tracks, and major stakes races such as the Triple Crown races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes as well as the Breeders' Cup horse races.Arkansas Derby Winner Papa Clem Works At Churchill Downs For The 2009 Kentucky Derby 135
Posted on Sunday, April 19th, 2009
Bo Hirsch’s homebred Arkansas Derby winner Papa Clem breezed an easy 5 furlongs in the rain on Sunday in the Kentucky Derby contenders‘ first serious training move over the track at Churchill Downs, home of the 2009 Kentucky Derby 135.
Jockey Miguel Mena was in the saddle for the move, which was planned for 7 furlongs, but received an official 5-furlong clocking of 1:04.60. A steady rain was falling as the colt work over a “good” track and was timed in fractions of :12.40 and :38.60. Papa Clem galloped out 6 furlongs in 1:19.
The breeze ranked 25th out of 28 at the 5-furlong distance, but race horse trainer Gary Stute said he was more worried about how much ground Papa Clem actually covered than the time it took to complete the move.
“I didn’t care I just wanted to get seven-eighths in him,” said Gary Stute. “It was a little slower than I probably originally wanted. This was just for him to get a feel of the track. I think I had him in 1:30-and-change for seven-eighths.”
Race horse trainer Gary Stute said Papa Clem would have one more work before the May 2 Kentucky Derby 2009. Saturday is the most likely day for that move.
Although the Arkansas Derby was the first stakes victory for Papa Clem, the son of Smart Strike had competed well through the winter against California-based Kentucky Derby starters Pioneerof the Nile and I Want Revenge. Papa Clem finished between those 2 in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes Stakes (G2) over the synthetic Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita Park on Feb. 7.
Papa Clem’s only lopsided loss was a runner-up finish to another one of the Kentucky Derby entries Friesan Fire in the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds, where he finished 7 1/4 lengths back off the winner over a sloppy track.
“I definitely think I’ve got a shot,” Gary Stute said. “I don’t think I’m just coming in here to run.”
The Arkansas Derby victory improved Papa Clem’s career record to 2-2-0 in 6 races with earnings of $790,940.
Horse racing news edited from www.churchilldowns.com.
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"Arkansas Derby Winner Papa Clem Works At Churchill Downs For The 2009 Kentucky Derby 135" was posted on Sunday, April 19th, 2009 at 10:41 pm and is filed under Churchill Downs, Horse Racing Industry, Horses, Kentucky Derby, Race Tracks News, Stakes Races, Triple Crown, USA Horse Racing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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