Father Patrick Overcomes Draw in World Record Crown Triumph

WILKES-BARRE, PA— The freshmen glamour boy leader Father Patrick proved his dominance yet again on Friday night, sitting behind a speedy Nuncio around Pocono’s oval and overtaking him to win the lone Breeders Crown two-year-old colt trot elimination in 1:52.2.

Nuncio got the lead, while Father Patrick got away in second and Exodus Hanover was in third. Nuncio had a 5 length lead on Father Patrick passed the quarter in :26.2. Father Patrick continued to chase Nuncio as he held his 5 length command through a :54 (:27.3) half.

Down the backstretch, Father Patrick began to edge out of the pocket and took his shot at Nuncio. That duo had 11 lengths on Muscle Network racing in third. Nuncio continued to hold command at three-quarters in 1:22.4 (:28.4).

Father Patrick winning in a world record 1:52.1
(Ray Cotolo Photo)

Nuncio was digging in as he tried to hold the advantage into the stretch. Father Patrick sat the better trip and with apparent ease, trotted right by Nuncio to take the lead. Father Patrick went on to win by a length in 1:52.2 (:27.3). Nuncio finished second, Another Transcript was third and Expressive Action was fourth. Southwind Spirit, Auspicious Hanover and Muscle Network complete the top seven joining Credit Fashion and Don Dorado for next week’s final.

Father Patrick ($2.80) is a two-year-old colt by Cantab Hall, out of the mare Gala Dream by Enjoy Lavec. He is owned by Father Patrick Stable, trained by Jimmy Takter and Yannick Gingras was in the bike.

“He’s a very sound horse; we haven’t done anything with this horse, veterinarian work and things like that,” trainer Jimmy Takter said. “That’s a big plus when you’re coming into these big races. He’s such a good-gaited horse and I’ve been comparing him to Muscle Hill. I’ve been here for thirty years and Muscle Hill is maybe the best I’ve seen, but I think this horse is not far behind.”

“It’s a tough mile, we were going 1:52.1. I was impressed over Nuncio; he raced really good. It looked like he [Nuncio] was grabby and things like that and he still fought all the way to the finish line. Of course I give him respect. I know this horse [Father Patrick] is just so special and he goes by anything basically.”