Father Patrick, Nuncio win Bluegrass divisions in 1:50.4
September 28, 2014,by Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile
Lexington, KY — Sophomore colt trotters prepped for the $500,000 Kentucky Futurity, slated for Sunday (Oct. 5), in two divisions of the $187,200 Bluegrass Stakes on Sunday (Sept. 28) at The Red Mile.
Father Patrick was an easy winner in 1:50.4 for driver Yannick Gingras.
Division leader Father Patrick floated off the gate in the $93,100 second division of the Bluegrass, took control on the backstretch, and effortlessly trotted to a 1:50.4 victory over Lightning Force.
The field was led by Lightning Force (David Miller), who set a :28.1 opening split. Entering the backstretch, Yannick Gingras edged Father Patrick off the pylons and quickly claimed the lead. He was uncontested through a :56 half and 1:23.3 third quarter.
Gingras piloted Father Patrick through the stretch with a hand drive, while Lightning Force chased in second and Martiniwithmuscle (Ivan Davies) in third. Father Patrick crossed the finish line on top by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:50.4, with a final quarter in :27.1.
Owned by the Father Patrick Stable and trained by Jimmy Takter, the son of Cantab Hall-Gala Dream-Enjoy Lavec paid $2.10 to win. Father Patrick has $1,927,508 in career earnings with 20 wins in 23 starts.
“He’s one of a kind; I’ve never been around a horse even close to his kind,” trainer Jimmy Takter said.
“I’ve got to give that horse (Nuncio) a lot of credit,” Takter added, commenting on Nuncio’s performance earlier in the card. “He’s been chasing this horse (Father Patrick) for two years, and he’s still keeping his spirits up. He’s a fantastic horse.”
Nuncio, getting away fourth in the early stages, patiently progressed towards the front and left his foes in the dust with a 1:50.4 victory in the first $94,100 division of the Bluegrass.
Hillustrious (Gingras) and Datsyuk (Charlie Norris) contested for the top, while Damfoolrmillionair (Tim Tetrick) got away third. Datsyuk cleared the lead after a :27.4 opening quarter. Hillustrious was anxious in the pocket as Dastyuk set a half in :54.4.
Entering the far turn, Hillustrious sprung out of the pocket and took control as Datsyuk backed out of the race. Nuncio had begun an overland journey and was up to challenge Hillustrious through a 1:23.3 third quarter.
Under minimal encouragement, Nuncio trotted by and away from Hillustrious, who battled for second with Mr Lindy (Scott Zeron) and Damfoolrmillionair. Nuncio won by 5-3/4 lengths over Hillustrious, Mr Lindy and Damfoolrmillionair in 1:50.4.
A son of Andover Hall-Nicole Isabelle-Lindy Lane, Nuncio is owned by Stall TZ Inc., trained by Takter and was driven by John Campbell. His 1:50.4 mile was a lifetime best, and he has now bankrolled $1,271,470 in his career. He paid $2.40 to win.
“Before, if you started him (Nuncio) up at the gate, you couldn’t stop him,” driver John Campbell said. “His manners have gotten so much better; he relaxes in the hole. They were going hot on the front, so when I did move him, he trotted up there comfortably, and trotted home well within himself. I was pretty sure, coming off the turn for home, that he was going to win.”
Live racing will resume on Thursday (Oct. 2) with the $300,000 International Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old filly trotters. The entry box will be open until 9:30 a.m. (EDT) on Monday (Sept. 29). Post time for that card is scheduled for 1 p.m. (EDT).
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