Paddy O'Prado: turf hat-trick in summer culminated in Grade 1 Secretariat
Turf star Paddy O'Prado switched to Classic
TOP American turf performer Paddy O'Prado will run in the Breeders' Cup Classic rather than the Turf, for which he was theshortest-priced US-trained horse with British bookmakers.
The son of El Prado finished third in the Kentucky Derby at Breeders' Cup venue Churchill Downs in May before landing a hat-trick of valuable prizes when switched to grass by trainer Dale Romans.
Explaining the decision to revert to the dirt, Romans said: "He ran well in the Derby on the same racetrack - it's worth taking a shot.
"With the stallion potential of this horse, we'd like to see him do something big on dirt," added the trainer, speaking to the Blood-Horse. "It's a tough spot either way, but he's doing great. We're confident that he will run his race."
Romans will also saddle First Dude, placed in the last two legs of the Triple Crown, in the $5 million Classic, also nominated as a possible target for last year's turf champ Gio Ponti, who will be cross-entered in the Mile.
Leading Californian-based turf performer The Usual Q.T. has been given the green light to contest the Mile by trainer Jim Cassidy.
The Usual Q.T. has won five stakes races in his career, including the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby last November.
Comments