Horse Racing: Paddy O’ Prado to run at Churchill Downs
After a thorough session of thinking, the managing partner of Iowa based Donegal Racing Jerry Crawford announced that his racehorse will be running in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs.
This announcement was made by him on the 1st of November. Since Paddy O’ Prado clinched victory at Arlington Park in the turf Grade I Secretariat Stakes and at Belmont Park in Joe Hirsch Class Invitational that was run on the 2nd of
October, there were many racing options for the champion. One of these options that his connections were considering apart from the Breeders’ Cup Classic was the Japan Cup.
His trainer, Dale Romans, and Crawford are expecting the stallion to once again prove himself against some of the best racehorses of the country. They say they are confident that their colt is in great form and have planned that if he wins this event, he
will be sent out to contend the Dubai Cup next year.
Crawford is particularly confident of his horse’s performance at this racetrack because El Prado was the third place finisher in the Kentucky Derby that was run back in May. He says since the track and distance is the same, it will not be difficult for the
racehorse to handle the meet.
Crawford said, “Traditionally, closers win the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Paddy has an explosive finishing move. He is a smart colt and has picked up on where he needs to be in the field”.
Moreover he said, “As a two year old he was gawking around on the track, even during his races. Paddy would lose focus, and needed to mature. I flew down to have a look at him a couple of days before the Palm Beach Stakes when he broke his maiden as a three
year old. He had changed, he was all business on the track”.
The three-year old colt was bought for $ 105,000 at the 2008 September Yearling Sale at Keenland by Crawford for classic American race events. The manager of Donegal Racing is very cautious when he purchases the racehorses. He has owned and sold many colts
by now. Before buying any, he prepares a list of that horse’s credentials and consults his regular trainer Dale Romans.
Having won against older competitors, his fans will be coming all the way from Iowa to Kentucky to witness El Prado take over the field in the Breeders’ Cup Classic that is to start on the 5th of November.
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